Aupito William Sio welcomes investment to expand Pacific Employment in regions

Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio has today welcomed the announcement of funding to expand the successful Pacific Employment Support Scheme (PESS) to regional New Zealand.

The Provincial Growth Fund will invest $8.85 million to expand the scheme, as part of the $82.4 million employment and skills initiative Te Ara Mahi, announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today.

PESS is led by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and currently supports young Pacific people in Auckland and Hamilton to find sustainable employment, education or training opportunities. The providers that PESS works with support young people through tailored interventions such as career advice, coaching and interview skills.

"The PGF funding will enable PESS to expand into greater Waikato, Manawatū-Whanganui, Otago, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Murihuku/Southland. It will also expand to include Pacific people aged up to 39 years old who are not earning or learning," Aupito William Sio said.

"This support will help us tackle the long-term challenges Pacific peoples are facing in regional New Zealand. When we improve Pacific people's economic wellbeing we're also strengthening families and adding value to the economies of our regions.

"Pacific unemployment has outpaced the overall unemployment rate for too long. With a Pacific unemployment rate at 6.2 per cent compared with 3.9 per cent of the overall population, we must continue to focus on lifting the number of Pacific people in work.

"We know there are a number of strong Pacific communities in the regions, such as Oamaru where one in four residents are Pacific people. This PGF funding will enable the PESS to expand into the regions and allow even more Pacific people to reach their potential.

"PESS has already had success in urban areas, with over 2200 participants since it started in 2010. Over 1000 have been placed in employment and 687 have gained training placements.

"Getting more young Pacific people into employment, education or training is also a priority. PGF funding through Te Ara Mahi will enable the PESS to support even more Pacific young people towards success.

"This Provincial Growth Fund announcement is a welcome investment for our Pacific communities in regional New Zealand," Aupito William Sio said.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)