26 November 2020

An initiative that champions the importance of all Wairarapa youth being engaged in education, training or employment launched in Wairarapa yesterday, with Carterton the first Wairarapa district to sign up.

The Wairarapa Youth 2 Work Movement encourages partnerships between Mayors, iwi, key stakeholders, organisations active in the youth transition space, employers and businesses in a commitment to deliver vocational pathways, work experience and training opportunities for young people.

In the next 25 years, the number of Wairarapa residents aged over 65 is expected to increase by 79% to nearly 15,000, or 1 in 4 residents. The Youth 2 Work Movement will ensure that the current wealth of knowledge and experience in the Wairarapa workforce won’t be lost and employers will have the skilled staff they need to future-proof their businesses.

YETE (Youth in Education, Training and Employment) Chair and Carterton District Council’s Community Services Manager Carrie Mckenzie said she was excited to work together with local businesses to help find the right calibre of employees.

“Young people in Wairarapa have a lot to offer employers but they sometimes need some guidance to find the right path for them,” Mckenzie said.

“This movement is a positive shift to help young people get into meaningful employment and support businesses by bridging any gaps in knowledge or training.”

Mayor Greg Lang signed yesterday’s Youth 2 Work Movement agreement on behalf of the council with Robin Potangaroa from Ngāti Kahungunu and local businesses Neer Enterprises NZ, GV Electrical, New World Carterton, McCarthy’s Transport and Kintyre Meats.

“I’m really pleased to be part of another initiative benefitting Wairarapa’s young people,” Lang said.

“I’ve seen through the Mayors Taskforce For Jobs how successful it can be to link the right young person with the right employer, and I’m pleased there are people in our community willing to work together to give our young people more positive opportunities.

“This is something I want to be successful across Wairarapa as it will benefit the whole region.”

For employers or young people wanting to take part, please email maria.m@yete.nz