Govt funds nine new projects to get youth into work

It will also help employers in supporting the younger generation at work

BY Dexter Tilo 02 Jul 2022

Nine new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes have received funding following its success in supporting rangatahi, or the younger generation, in terms of employment.

Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the nine new initiatives include:

Poutama Pathways for Rangatahi – Katikati
Pasifika All-in-Support - Napier
Northland Trades Initiative - Whangārei
He Ara Whānui, He Ara, Ara Tētēkura! (HAWHAAT!)—A vast pathway, a pathway for leaders! – Kaitaia
NGEN 1 – Whangārei
Steps to Success - Kaipātiki region (Beach Haven, Birkdale, Birkenhead, Northcote, and Glenfield)
Te Ara Matihiko – Hawkes Bay (Flaxmere, Raueka, Camberley)
Career Navigator Community – Marlborough
Ngaa Rauru - Southern Taranaki and Manawatu-Whanganui rohe

According to the minister, the new programmes seek to provide work-readiness, training, and employment initiatives for over 880 rangatahi NEETS, or those not in education, employment, or training, across New Zealand.

The expansion of the programme follows its resounding success, which has helped over 3,000 rangatahi since its launching in 2018.

"He Poutama Rangatahi has proven to be a very successful initiative which supports rangatahi to overcome barriers and access to education, training and employment opportunities," said Sepuloni in a statement.

"We know it's a programme that works and, so far, it's helped 3,676 rangatahi who have engaged with the programme since it was launched in 2018," added the minister. "The additional providers we're announcing today will ensure that more of our rangatahi have access to this incredibly positive programme.

According Sepuloni, the programme overall is focused on helping the younger generation get the skills and support that they need to choose a career and directions that would bring a better future for their families.

Work and Income New Zealand said the initiative, which is funded by the Ministry of Social Development and the Provincial Growth Fund, also "supports employers who need access to specialised employment support for the needs of rangatahi."

It added that a successful He Poutama Rangatahi project supports young people and employers with the tools needed to help rangatahi get to work.

Such projects supported by the initiative include those that:

highlight current interventions which could be scaled up or redirected
identify gaps in support and pastoral care for both young people and for employers
develop ways to fill those gaps.

"A basic principle of He Poutama Rangatahi is understanding that local communities are best placed to reach the rangtahi and to know the barriers rangatahi face," said Sepuloni.