Waikato-based Tupu Aotearoa clients are breaking down barriers preventing them from finding employment thanks to a programme offering them work-ready skills.
Working collaboratively, Kaute Pasifika, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) and Industry Training Solutions (ITS) developed its Employability Programme to support Pacific people enrolled as Tupu Aotearoa clients, to become work ready, gain a better understanding of the workplace, employment contracts as well as their employee rights and responsibilities.
Tupu Aotearoa is a flagship MPP initiative, which supports Pacific people to gain the right tools education, training and employment opportunities to succeed.
Tupu Aotearoa connects Pacific people with local providers such as K’aute Pasifika, who can support clients to access work or learning opportunities on their journey to employment, further training or study.
New Zealand-born Samoan Siope Kalonihea (pictured) is a recent graduate of the programme, which also seeks to motivate, build confidence, and develop work readiness and customer service skills, enabling clients to gain up to 20 credits towards their Level 2 Employability Skills Certificate.
Although having already completed his Level 2 and 3 Certificates in building and carpentry, the 19-year-old was facing challenges preventing him entering the workforce.
Kaute Employment and Education Consultant Arasi Time accurately assessed Siope would benefit from attending the programme in which he enthusiastically embraced and in turn graduated with new skills, insight and feeling well prepared to gain employment.
Within a matter of weeks of completing the programme Siope, with Kaute’s support, had secured an apprenticeship with Industrial Site Services (ISS) Waikato.
The company’s spokesperson says Siope was a standout and was chosen to do a talk on his experience going through the ISS cadet programme which he did brilliantly.
“He spoke with confidence and answered loads of questions afterwards.”
Siope is currently thriving in his role with ISS and has credited attending the Employability Programme, the ongoing wraparound support from both his family and Kaute Pasifika, along with personal determination as key elements to achieving his dream of a career in the construction industry.
Visit the MPP website for more information about Tupu Aotearoa.