(Picture caption: The Elika Consulting Group team view Pacific youth as the future of the workforce in New Zealand.)
The team at Elika Consulting Group (ECG) believe the future of labour and the workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand lies with the growing young Pacific demographic.
Workforce development and building capability for businesses through people is a focus area for the consultancy, which became an Auckland network provider for the Pacific Business Village, funded by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP).
Established in 2022, the Pacific Business Village aims to support sustained growth in the Pacific business sector and provide a strategic framework for long-term economic development for Pacific businesses nationwide.
Director Sara Jane Elika says ECG’s main task under the initiative has been to build capability through recruitment and capital investment.
“We coordinate, identify, and build relationships with service providers to grow Pacific businesses, while also collaborating with other economic development agencies and organisations to support Pacific businesses,” Sara Jane says.
“Part of this includes using our team’s lived experience and technical expertise.
“We work closely with Pacific businesses to deliver our services and share our knowledge across the law, business, architecture, education, media and communications sectors.”
Recognising the need to support the growing number of Pacific youths in the workforce, ECG advocate for Pacific young people to begin their own enterprises, Sara Jane adds.
“As our young people are the future and now is the time to encourage business ideas and give it a go.
“From a side hustle to a full-time business there is opportunity for anyone to be creative, follow a passion and through networks and support, build the skills to create a sustainable business.”
Sara Jane says ECG’s approach to the Pacific economy is having an intimate understanding of Pacific peoples and the influences which drive their socio-economic aspirations and wellbeing.
Looking ahead, she adds the ECG team is strongly aligned to its purpose when conducting its mahi.
“We want to leave a positive footprint in our communities through strategy, engagement, and evaluation.
“Working with corporate, government and grassroots communities keeps us busy and always open to opportunities that advance our Pacific peoples.”
If you are a Pacific business or individual interested in starting a business, connect with ECG by emailing [email protected], or stay up to date on LinkedIn.
Find out more information about the Pacific Business Village on the MPP website.