The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs is working with four Auckland-based providers to help young Pacific people into skills and training, and gainful employment. CME Trust, Crosspower Ministries Trust, In-Work New Zealand and SENZ Charitable Trust are collaborating to provide a service that identifies the needs of and best fit for each participant. We caught up with two of the providers to find out how it was going.
Three years ago, Taana dropped out of school at the tender age of 14. With little idea of what to do with herself and no work experience, she was referred to the Creative Learning Scheme (CLS) Alternative Education Programme by St Mary's Social Services, Otahuhu.
After completing the programme and winning an award for good attendance, 16-year-old Taana was referred-on to Toa Sagapolu, a SENZ Pasifika Careers Advisor, under the agreement SENZ has with the Ministry.
“When she came to me, it was obvious that Taana needed to overcome a few barriers like her lack of confidence and shyness, as well as her lack of experience in the workforce,” says Toa.
Despite these barriers, Taana was eager to learn and committed to attending the pre-employment workshops offered by SENZ. Toa also spent one-on-one time with Taana developing her CV and preparing her for interviews.
“Taana was eager and open to any job opportunities,” explains Toa, “and while employers are often bias toward young people and Taana lacked work experience we were able to find her work.”
Toa arranged a one-month trial for Taana in a small local café. The employer was so impressed with her work ethic and attitude that within two weeks she was offered a fulltime contract.
Taana is grateful for the help and opportunities offered to her by SENZ and, with budgeting guidance from her employer, is saving to buy a headstone for her late mother.
As well as working with unemployed youth to help them find work, SENZ works with secondary schools assisting students get into higher education and helps up skill young people in already employment.
This year SENZ signed a memorandum of understanding with One Tree Hill College to offer mentoring support services to Pacific Year 11 to 13 students.
“The idea is to keep Year 11 and 12 students in school, so they don’t fall through the gaps,” says Grant Hobbs, SENZ General Manager. “For the Year 13 students it is about helping them towards tertiary education and with decisions about their future.”
Pasifika Careers Advisor Isaac Liava’a works fulltime at the college with 20 students in the Pasifika Pride Unit, a leadership group for Pacific students.
“Some of my work has included putting together individual pathway plans for the students to work out what they want to do and make the right subject choices, as well as help them get into higher education,” say Isaac.
He is also able to find appropriate role models within the community for students.
Michael is a Year 13 student in the Pasifika Pride Unit with a passion for music. His band, Servn8, has placed first and second at regional and national competitions and Michael is hoping to attend a music school next year.
His passion for music is time-consuming, but he is aware that he needs to keep up with his academic work. To ensure Michael and his band members keep up academically, Isaac arranged for a mentor with a music background to help the students keep up with their schooling, as well as with leadership skills.
Also helping young people through the Pacific Employment Services Scheme is In-Work New Zealand Ltd.
“We have two main focuses. The first is getting young people into employment, mentoring them and getting them into a job,” explains Adrian Roberts, In-Work NZ’s managing director. “The second focus is supporting young people once they in employment, looking at future training and career advancement. What are the pathways that this young person needs to take to get a better position within the organisation, a better salary or more training?”
Earlier this year Ms Emelio approached In-Work NZ seeking information on programmers for her 17-year-old son Peni, who was no longer attending high school. A week later, Bobbie Roberts, Development Coordinator, visited the Emelio household to speak with Peni, his mother and his aunty and find out how he could help.
The eldest of nine children, Peni was clear about his goals – to sit his Learners Drivers Licence and to find a course to help him become a youth aide counselor.
The following week Bobbie contacted the Strive Community Trust about how Peni could become a youth aide assistant. This set the ball rolling and, less than month from when Ms Emelio had first contacted In-Work, Peni had been offered a role as a Youth Mentor Volunteer with the MMAD (Mangere Makes A Difference) Youth Team through the Strive Community Trust.
Through In-Work NZ and his role as a volunteer, Peni has become more focused and is committed towards reaching his goal of becoming a fulltime, paid youth mentor.
“Peni is an excellent example of how focussed approaches, in collaboration with family and community, pave the way for our young people get up on that ladder and begin their journey,” said Aridan.
“In-Work has always been about outcomes. In Peni’s case, some mentoring, guidance, and managing barriers to progress has resulted in an exciting outcome. This is the type of result that the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs has engaged us to deliver. We are honoured to contribute our expertise and experience to people like Peni and his family.”
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