Tairāwhiti CARE Regional Skills Leadership Group Action Update
July 2023
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This is the web version of our Actions Update. It should be read alongside our Regional Workforce Plan to gain the most comprehensive understanding of the story of our region.
Download the PDF version:
Tairāwhiti CARE Regional Skills Leadership Group 2022 Action Update [PDF, 254 KB]
Overview
It has been one year since we released our first Regional Workforce Plan (RWP) in June 2022. Our 2022 RWP focused on the Vertical Construction, Digital & Technology, and Manufacturing sectors. In this RWP we committed to delivering 8 actions connected to these sectors, which would create positive change within our region. The following update details the progress we have made in implementing these actions.
Action 1
Work with local tertiary providers to map the current training provision for the East Coast to better understand the geographical coverage of training opportunities, with a specific focus on the key priority sectors.
Progress
CARE-RSLG has worked closely with local manufacturing businesses to understand what kind of training they need. We tried to partner with a local training provider, but it did not quite work out. However, local businesses have pointed out another training option, a Diploma in Engineering, which is not currently offered in Tairāwhiti. We are advocating strongly for this diploma course to be delivered in Tairāwhiti in 2024.
Action 2
Work with local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related businesses in Tairāwhiti to establish a STEM scholarship to support local rangatahi to undertake STEM tertiary study and return to the region to work in the industry.
Progress
CARE-RSLG has canvassed the region to get a clear picture of existing scholarship opportunities. This revealed a number of scholarship opportunities are available in the STEM area. The focus has shifted towards proving to rangatahi that returning to work in Tairāwhiti is a quality career option. We're now working to show our young people that coming back to work in Tairāwhiti can lead to rewarding careers. We know it's a big challenge because many factors influence career choices. We're in the early stages of making a 'best practice' guide to help local businesses and industry leaders show how their scholarships can open the door to great careers right here in Tairāwhiti.
Action 3
Engage local schools, training providers and industry to create a student-centred trades career pathway model within the construction sector that includes a focus on architecture, engineering, and other construction-related occupations.
Progress
CARE-RSLG has been teaming up with local training providers to create a pathway model that fits our area. This will help guide our students towards fulfilling careers right here at home. Given the impact and recovery initiatives following Cyclone Gabrielle, our approach to this action has needed to adapt. As we navigate these changes, we need to keep working on this action to ensure we can fully address the evolving needs of our community.
Action 4
Increase in-region training provision in advanced manufacturing by working with local tertiary education providers and advanced manufacturing businesses to develop (or tailor) an advanced manufacturing qualification in line with the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan.
Progress
CARE-RSLG has worked closely with local manufacturing businesses to understand what kind of training they need. We tried to partner with a local training provider, but it did not quite work out. However, local businesses have pointed out another training option, a Diploma in Engineering, which is not currently offered in Tairāwhiti. We are advocating strongly for this diploma course to be delivered in Tairāwhiti in 2024.
Action 5
Work with training providers and industry to scope in-work training provision in numeracy and literacy.
Progress
CARE-RSLG has started working with Literacy Aotearoa to figure out how they can offer on-the-job literacy and numeracy training in Tairāwhiti. We have already linked them with a local business to help their apprentices with basic literacy and numeracy skills. This is just the first step and we look forward to expanding these opportunities.
Action 6
Work with industry and key stakeholders to determine the future tech needs across the key priority sectors to enable businesses and workers to respond to a rapidly changing world of work.
Progress
CARE-RSLG has started talks with local companies to get a handle on what tech skills their workers need now and in the future. This understanding will help us shape our future actions and strategies. We also acknowledge how adaptation will be crucial to an agile workforce during the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Action 7
Work with key stakeholders to develop a portal for capturing local workforce data.
Progress
CARE-RSLG has identified the healthcare, social assistance, and freight sectors as possible areas to focus on for this project. We are in discussion with different groups about how we can collect and store this information securely, and how to use it in a way that benefits our region.
Action 8
Work with local employers and other stakeholders to build more effective and sustainable pastoral care approaches.
Progress
CARE-RSLG has been studying different models of pastoral care to identify what works best. Our aim is to partner with someone who can help us review all this information and create advice based on it. This work will be a major step in improving care for our workforce, especially as we recover from Cyclone Gabrielle.