Grassroots organisations delivering support to young people in rural communities say they are excited to see what they can do with the new tranche of government funding released this week.
He Poutama Rangatahi students in 2020. Photo: Supplied / Tūranga Ararau Iwi Tertiary Education Provider
The government is investing in rural communities through the He Poutama Rangatahi programmes to help young people overcome barriers and access education, training, and employment opportunities.
The four recipients for the recent tranche of funding released by the minister for social development and employment were Te Ara Poutama in Te Tairāwhiti/Gisborne, the School of Hard Knocks in the Bay of Plenty, Life Talk in Northland and Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora, also in Te Tai Tokerau/Northland.
Areas such as driver licenses, qualifications, or practical work skills, are provided and the recipient organisations said the investment boost in rural communities was important as it was very difficult to tackle these challenges alone.
One of the recipients, Te Ara Poutama is a 12-week programme offering support to rangatahi with key employment skills, training and qualifications, driver licensing, work experience and cultural connection.
After the initial 12-week programme there is also 40 weeks of pastoral care offered.
Te Ara Poutama employment services manager Ingrid Brown said providing motivation and a variety of options for rangatahi was the priority.
Te Ara Poutama received a further $462,000 investment to extend its support to 48 more rangatahi in the area.
Brown said this round's funding was the second tranche they had applied for and would support the organisation to look at making some improvements for the next programme including support with NCEA credits for Rangatahi, amongst other things.
"We will look at other tools such as the food handling health and safety certificate and service skills you need for going into the hospitality sector, sometimes we have to get outside services to come and deliver those required skills so it will be used in that space.
"We're looking at forklift licensing, we're also looking at traffic control licensing which will help them with employment ... we support them in a wellness journey as well."
Ngā Ara Tōnui 'Successful Pathways' is receiving a $555,008 investment to deliver its Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora programme to young people in Whangārei.
Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora is a 12-month programme consisting of an eight week intensive programme focused on career development and will include CV building, presentation workshops, interview preparation, driver licensing, work experience and other help required on an individual basis.
It is also supported by an additional 10 months of pastoral care/manaaki tangata support.
Terry said not every young person is the same and each one needs unique support.
"It allows us to work with our young ones holistically in relation to areas of self-development, our culture, our mana, our pride as well as being able to know about the areas that will navigate the world of work."
"Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora is the holistic approach and long-term support that we've been striving for," he said.
Terry said that the demand in the Far North for rangatahi was broad, but funding would allow the organisation to work holistically to help them.
"I think there is opportunity here in Whangārei ... especially for our tai-tamariki to learn about themselves, and learn about their abilities, their needs, their interests and how those relate to some employment opportunities better than others.
"We're very excited just to be able to do the mahi and do it well."
Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni said in a statement she was focused on supporting rangatahi to get what they need to progress in the world and give assistance with driver license, work experience, digital skills and documentation for employment.
"Three of the programmes - Te Ara Poutama, School of Hard Knocks and Life Talk - are already established with successful track records.
"It is exciting to see the success stories coming through from these trusts which have previously run programmes with He Poutama Rangatahi funding."
She expects more than 160 rangatahi and their whānau to benefit from participating in these programmes.
"The vast majority of rangatahi complete these programmes so they can move forward in their lives better equipped to choose career and life pathways that will not only better their own futures, but the future of their whānau and their communities," Sepuloni said.