The first five schemes under the Regional Apprenticeship Initiative have been approved.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says they will open up 300 apprenticeships.
HEB Construction, Cook Brothers Construction, Acrow Scaffolding and Brazier Scaffolding will receive a total of just over $4 million to employ and train apprentices in their businesses, while TradeUp will receive $8m to act as a third party to facilitate smaller firms to get in on the scheme.
The focus is on people who have been displaced from their jobs and Māori and Pasifika peoples.
The scheme is funded with $40 million from the Provincial Growth Fund which has been reprioritised to address the impact COVID-19 was having on regional economies and employment.
Ms Jones says it will ensure New Zealand has a pipeline of skilled workers to support regional economies in the future, help apprentices stay connected to employment, and help regional communities and employers to thrive.
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