Northland trade training plan aims to get young Maori into careers

A new iwi and hapu initiative will set up a plan for what trades training is needed in Northland with the goal of getting young Maori into careers.

Te Matarau Education Trust - a hapu iwi partnership - is working with hapu, iwi, educators, and communities in Northland to develop the Te Tai Tokerau Trade Training Strategy.

General manager Huhana Lyndon said the strategy will form a road map to ensure tertiary providers are offering trades training that is needed in Northland, investors are putting money into the right places, and high school students are being prepared early enough for these courses.

"It will tell us what we need in our region. What training providers are offering now may not be what we need. This will tell us if we need more painters in Dargaville for example.

"It will set a plan so we can go back to funders and say this is what the industry is saying."

The project was launched at a hui held at Otiria Marae on Wednesday, which was attended by 100 people.

Ms Lyndon said to form the strategy Te Matarau Education Trust would be holding consultation and workshops with schools, students, and key people within the trades industry.

She said they would also be speaking to young people about what trades were in their eyes, saying trades now included cheffing and tourism jobs in addition to the more traditional pathways like carpentry or plumbing.

Ms Lyndon said students had so far given feedback saying they needed career advice earlier to ensure they are choosing the right NCEA subjects so they're on track when leaving school.

"We want students to go beyond what they think they can achieve. We want them to go on to be the team leader and business owners and keep making steps in their careers."

Ms Lyndon said an implementation plan will be developed in May.

"That implementation plan we will then be able to go back to the tertiary sector and say look this is what we reckon we need to do over the next five to 10 years. People were saying very clearly don't go short, go long. Think about long-term investment."