Trades initiative major opportunity for Pasifika employers

Trades initiative major opportunity for Pasifika employers

Pasifika employers are gathering in Auckland tomorrow to hear how they can get involved in a new trades training initiative for young Pasific people.

Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT Auckland) was launched earlier this year to meet an expected boom in the city’s building and construction industry.
It provides young Māori and Pasifika with opportunities for free trades training and direct access to employment.

Pasifika employers have been invited to Manukau Institute of Technology tomorrow, where they will hear from Mayor Len Brown and Samuelu Sefuiva, an official champion of MPTT Auckland.

“We want employers to have greater involvement in helping ensure Pasifika people on the programme are work-ready, skilled and active in contributing to Auckland’s burgeoning economy,” Sefuiva says.

“By partnering with the initiative, employers can help give more young Pacific people a pathway into meaningful trades jobs, which in turn helps build strong and resilient communities.”

But backing the scheme is also a smart business move for employers, because they stand to gain from it, he explains.

“There’s a huge amount of work in the pipeline across a range of industries, and particularly in building, construction and infrastructure.

“That means employers are going to need access to a far greater number of skilled tradespeople, which is what MPTT aims to provide.”

Sefuiva, who is former New Zealand Human Rights Commission's Principal Advisor Race Relations, says MPTT offers a stepping-stone for Māori and Pacific peoples, who are underrepresented in both employment and the trades.

“Here’s an opportunity for all parts of society – the industry, employers, Pacific and Māori communities and training institutions – to get involved in creating that pathway for our kids.”

Among the 70 employers attending the event are Stephen Marr (Stephen Marr Hair Design), Ken Lotu-Iiga (Fletcher Residential), Nancy McConnell (Hawkins), Chris Freer (Tonkin+Taylor), and Teremoana Mato (Pacific Trade Investment).

Alongside the Mayor, special guests include Pacific Economic Ambassador Shane Jones and Auckland Councillor Arthur Anae.
Media are invited to attend the ‘Pasifika in Industry Breakfast’, which is on Wednesday 19 August, from 7:00-9:00am at DINE Restaurant, Manukau Institute of Technology.

ENDS

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