Regional funding targeting Māori apprenticeships

KiwiRail, Northpower, Venture Timaru, farm machinery distributor Norwood, Fonterra, and Aukaha, a consultancy owned by five Otago-based Kai Tahu rūnaka, have been picked to run apprenticeship schemes funded by the Provincial Growth Fund.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says the $14 million investment will give up to 350 people a pathway to trades training.

It’s part of the $40 million regional apprenticeship initiative announced in June to support Māori and Pasifika people into careers, as well as retrain people who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

KiwiRail’s national programme will support up to 100 people into apprenticeships in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electricity supply, rail operations, building/structures and track infrastructure.

Northpower plans to offer 40 apprenticeships in the electricity industry, while Venture Timaru will manage 100 construction industry apprenticeships in Mid-South Canterbury and North Otago.

Norwood will work with Ngāti Kahungungu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Rongowhakaata to offer 12 automotive heavy engineering apprenticeships.

Fonterra’s programme supporting 44 people over two years is aimed at both lifting the capability of the current dairy industry workforce as well as ensuring a pipeline of skilled people to replace those nearing retirement.

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