August 28, 2018
$962,000 investment for Tairāwhiti rangatahi
29 August 2018
PĀNUI PĀPĀHO
MEDIA STATEMENT
$962,000 investment for Tairāwhiti rangatahi
Employment Minister Willie Jackson today announced funding for three He Poutama Rangatahi initiatives in Tairāwhiti.
“The Government will invest $962,000 over two years to support 114 rangatahi into employment, education or training in Tairāwhiti. This funding is targeted at young people in the region who are most at risk of long-term unemployment. It will help ensure local people are work-ready as a result of the significant Government investment,” said Willie Jackson.
The three He Poutama Rangatahi initiatives to receive funding are:
· Turanga Arau: $300,000 over two years to provide a transition to work programme called Te Ara Poutama.
· Eastern Institute of Technology: $214,500 over two years (in a joint funding arrangement with the Tertiary Education Commission) to support 20 rangatahi to develop work skills while actively contributing to their whenua and to their community through the Ecological and Land-Care project based in Ruatoria.
· Aotearoa Social Enterprise Trust: $447,628 over two years to support 40 rangatahi through a twelve month programme that will expose them to a range of employment opportunities and work experience.
All three programmes will provide intensive pastoral care, which will continue even after the rangatahi enter the workforce. This ensures they have the best chance of long term employment.
“Today’s announcements represent some of the final initiatives to use funding from He Poutama Rangatahi – a pilot fund announced in January this year. Officials are now focused on assisting organisations with implementing the projects, as well as monitoring and evaluating projects to ensure that funding is effectively spent, “Willie Jackson says.
“Persistent youth unemployment is a complex issue that takes some time to turnaround. Through He Poutama Rangatahi we are able to make a big difference to young people who require support entering into work, education or training – often for the first time.
“One of the Government’s priorities is to support our rangatahi and communities to achieve their full potential and today’s announcement further demonstrates our commitment to tacking these challenges head on,” Willie Jackson says.
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