Hawke's Bay's business community is helping boost employment in the Bay through a region-wide mentoring scheme.
About 40 experienced business professionals are signed up to Business Mentors NZ's mentoring programme in Hawke's Bay but mentor manager Leonie Wallwork said the varied nature of the region's industry meant the programme was always on the look out for experienced business people to join up both as business mentors and as community mentors (not-for-profit sector).
"We have more than 40 currently active mentors located in Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and Central Hawke's Bay. We also provide support up as far as Wairoa.
"We are seeking more businesses and community organisations to engage with the Business and Community Mentoring programmes including start-ups and social enterprises."
Mentor John Hutchinson said he first started as a mentor six years ago, as a way of giving back to the community.