PGF to invest in digital, work skills training for youth in Northland

Collectively these programs will support over 800 rangatahi and will be funded through the He Poutama Rangatahi (HPR) program, which aims to support young people, aged 15-24, who are not currently in employment, education or training to overcome barriers to get them into work.

The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will invest $3.88 million in a range of digital, work and life skills training for young unemployed people in Northland, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson announced today in Northland.

Collectively these programs will support over 800 rangatahi and will be funded through the He Poutama Rangatahi (HPR) program, which aims to support young people, aged 15-24, who are not currently in employment, education or training to overcome barriers to get them into work.

The programs funded are:

NGEN Room (He Puna Marama Trust) $990,000

Life Talk (Kamo Driving School) $396,000

He Poutama Taitamariki $2.5 million (HPT)

“Both NGEN Room and Life Talk have a digital technology focus. Northland has a number of young people with few or no qualifications, who are interested in the digital sector through gaming but lack basic coding skills or the motivation, confidence or networks required to pursue qualifications or employment in this area,” Shane Jones said. 

“NGEN Room is a 12-month digital technology program for 16-24-year-old rangatahi and combines life skills, NCEA credits (level 1-3), and work experience.

“Life Talk is a 12-week program that builds digital skills within the context of broader life and work skills development, including driver licensing. It combines digital skills training with local web developers, as well as work experience with local employers – both digital and non-digital based on the needs of participants.

“Both projects also provide on-going pastoral care to support participants during training and beyond.

“Additionally, the successful Northland pilot program, He Poutama Taitamariki (HPT) will receive funding of $2.5 million from HPR to continue its work to improve employment and training outcomes for young people most at risk of long-term unemployment and poor social outcomes for another year.

The Ministry of Social Development is also providing $2.7 million in the He Poutama Taitamariki program. The program is run by the Ministry.

Employment Minister Willie Jackson said the HPR support will get local people ready for local jobs.

“HPT has already worked with 116 employers since October 2018 to get more than 750 rangatahi into further training or employment. This is an outstanding result. The program works to increase the resilience, social connectedness and work readiness of taitamariki, and includes access to professional support services, work placement and 12 months support for those on the course and employers,” Willie Jackson said.

“The rangatahi targeted by HPR are those most at risk of long-term unemployment, and who may need more individualized and ongoing support to connect to training and employment than current programs are able to provide,” Willie Jackson said.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)