Progress report: December 2022

The Tairāwhiti CARE Regional Workforce Plan sets out the actions for the RSLG. This update covers the actions that are the Group’s current focus.

Overview

The CARE-RSLG work programme has been operating for almost two years. It has maintained a focus on building our region's capabilities to respond to immediate challenges as well as preparing for the future.

Over this time the CARE-RSLG has supported a number of successful events across several different sectors to showcase local businesses and their job opportunities and connect employers and training providers with local talent.

The group has also championed the implementation of cross-sector collaboration in the local primary and construction sectors to support the training, upskilling and redeployment of our local workforce. To date, work has gone into gathering insights about the following sectors:

  • Horticulture
  • Forestry
  • Civil
  • Construction
  • Tourism
  • Transport and Logistics
  • Vertical Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Digital and Technology

Our 2022 Regional Workforce Plan (RWP) is about people. Tairāwhiti should be a place that provides opportunities for our people to get the skills and knowledge they need to have rewarding careers.


Progress

Training Provision

CARE-RSLG has led engagement with communities and providers to understand how training is being delivered to whānau, particularly in rural communities. A key focus is understanding whether local training meets the needs of workers, employers and communities. For example, we have successfully advocated to bring training to Tairāwhiti, so whānau have not had to travel out of the region.

Collaboration

We have brokered the collaboration between Waihanga Ararau Workforce Development Council and a local hydraulics company to support the design of a qualification which will support much needed capability in the hydraulics workforce. This will create a clear pathway into this industry that did not previously exist.

Upskilling

We are embarking on an assessment across the building sector to support the upskilling of their workforce. We want to understand how to work together with businesses to facilitate career progression. A major part of this is digging deeper into the types of training people need in-work to unleash their potential. Our starting point for this is numeracy and literacy.

Future of Work

CARE-RSLG is leading the discussion with sector leaders and training providers to gain a collective understanding of our regional technology needs for workers and employers. Our work to date involves engaging with industry leaders in medical resonance technology, advanced manufacturing and digital creativity. We have supported local initiatives in technology and screen production.

Tairāwhiti Labour Market Information Management

Our CARE-RSLG members are committed to sharing labour market information so Tairāwhiti can get the best picture to make informed decisions. As our practices have improved over this past 24 months, we are now working towards making this real time picture accessible to regional leadership including businesses and communities.

Best Start for Workers

We acknowledge our role to build skills at all levels - from the fields to the laboratory. We are starting with tackling skills capability building for workers beginning their working careers. This involves partnering central government with business to explore options that work.

Supporting Education Engagement

This mahi involves ten Government Agencies working together on improving attendance participation and engagement in education. The broader purpose is providing a response that suits the needs of whānau. Our role is to provide advice about alternative pathways into education and employment.


Next Steps

CARE-RSLG has identified two areas to focus on for the 2023 Regional Workforce Plan. The group will concentrate on labour market issues relating to:

  1. Health
  2. Jobs for Nature

These areas are likely to have a significant influence on communities and CARE-RSLG will lead the coordination of regional discussions seeking to plan for successful labour market outcomes.


Some of our Mahi

Last updated: 08 March 2023