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Savanah Hislop took part in Accelerator 2019 and knows first-hand the benefits – find out what she has to say about it.

Designed to help improve the pathway between education and employment, the Taranaki Futures Accelerator programme is all about giving young people a chance to experience what the world of work is really like. This year we have 20 different Accelerator experiences for students to choose from. Over 40 businesses are involved, representing a wide range of different Taranaki pathways.

The programme has two key components. Firstly, each Tuesday during term two, students visit with industry to learn about different jobs. During this time they will hear from leaders across the industry and spend time talking generally about the business and different jobs. It’s a truly unique opportunity to hear from leaders in the field, to ask questions and gain real-world insight into what it is really like working in the industry.

Next, we will come together and spend time as a group to reflect on experiences with some coaching. This year the coaching will be led by two amazing Taranaki pros: Paul Rangiwahia and Tracy Abel. We will hear from guest speakers and talk about key employment skills – things like the importance of good communication and how to build up resilience. This is an informal and fun time, enjoyed over a bite to eat.

Delivered with support from NPDC and The Southern Trust – applications are now open to year 12-13 secondary school students. Find out more and apply today.

After a successful 2019 pilot, the Taranaki Futures Build a Trailer programme is kicking-off again for 2020. The programme, an innovative collaboration between Taranaki Futures, Engineering Taranaki Consortium (ETC) and WITT, is available to secondary students through WITT’s Trades Academy. This year the number of student places on the programme has doubled to 15 – and includes students from eight secondary schools.

The programme, which kicked off with a student, whānau, WITT and ETC member meet event, is all about supporting young people into the prosperous engineering sector.

Taranaki Futures, a charitable organisation with a purpose to smooth the pathway from education to employment, works to meaningfully bring together industry and educators. Taranaki Futures Chair Steve Scott says “Build a Trailer is a fantastic model for developing engineering trade sector pathways, having ETC member companies support young talent in this way is a credit to their proactive workforce development planning”.

ETC Chair Paul Minchin said last year’s programme pilot delivered, with ETC member companies employing 4 of the 7 students that enrolled on the 2019 programme “students on the programme gained the right kind of skills and experience to enable them to transition into our engineering apprenticeships”.

WITT CEO John Snook agrees. And is pleased to work with Taranaki Futures and ETC to develop the innovative ‘real world’ on campus learning to meet the needs of the sector. “Building a high-end tandem trailer on campus gives students the chance to be part of an interesting project, and is an effective way to bring learning to life”.

For more information on this innovative collaboration, visit taranakifutures.org.

Pictured above from left: Nick Holloway (Excel), Jack Butler (Waitara High), Tyla Robins (NPBH) and Sarah Karlson (Steel & Tube)

The Taranaki Futures Build a Trailer has been sold, to Todd Energy! Proceeds of the sale will go back to Taranaki Futures, and towards supporting more education to employment initiatives.

Todd Energy’s Operations Manager, Maurice Gilmour, says the trailer will be put to good use on Todd’s sites.

“At Todd, we have a commitment to inspiring careers in science, engineering and trades across the natural gas and electricity industry. We were pleased to be able to purchase the trailer, supporting the growth of Taranaki youth into the engineering sector and supporting Todd’s operations at the same time.”

Steve Scott, Chair of Taranaki Futures, said he was pleased to see the trailer go to a good home in the local community.

“We’re really grateful to Todd Energy, and we’re confident they will get good use out of the trailer for years to come”.

The trailer was built by students at the WITT campus during terms two and three as part of the Trades Academy engineering programme. An innovative collaboration between Taranaki Futures, WITT and ETC, the programme is designed for secondary school students interested in an engineering pathway.

With the holidays now approaching its time to celebrate the hard work of our 2019 MPTT ākonga. All up 68 Māori or Pasifika students were given an MPTT scholarship during the year.

The measure of success we hold above all others is employment. All up, one third of 2019 MPTT students  are now in paid employment. Along with a further third enrolled for study next year – in total 65% of 2019 students are in paid employment or enrolled in further learning next year. Comparably, this is up from 40% last year. We’re thrilled with these ākonga outcomes.

Melody Te Patu, the Taranaki Futures MPTT Coordinator who has supported ākonga throughout the year, is right behind learners celebrating their achievements “I’m so proud of the hard work students have put into achieving their goals”.

Its been a fantastic year – the Taranaki Futures team and board would like to thank the MPTT Consortium Members, WITT tutors and teaching staff, students and their whanau for a fantastic year.

Next year will be even better – with even more MPTT scholarship courses on offer. If you, or someone you know, is looking for a change next year give Melody a call to find out more today.

Schurr & Ireland are backing Taranaki Futures to help more youth in the transition from education to employment.

Schurr & Ireland, an accountancy and business development firm with offices in New Plymouth and Eltham, recently held a ‘How robust is your Trust’ event for their clients. Proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to Taranaki Futures. Director Tom Schurr says “we recognise the step from education into the world of work can be a challenging one, partnering with Taranaki Futures is a great way we can get involved and support young Taranaki talent”.

The donated funds will be put to good use. Next year we have a range of programmes expanding – including Accelerator (our business mentoring programme) and Build a Trailer – and some all-new programmes launching too. General Manager Belinda Mooney is truly grateful for the support, “I’m really stoked to have the support of an innovative and future focused firm like Schurr & Ireland”.

We’re stoked to have John and the team at APS supporting the Taranaki Futures Driver Licence Programme! APS (or Automotive Professional Services, located on Devon Street), will be doing a full check up on the driver car once per quarter – keeping the car in top shape for learner drivers.

The programme, delivered in partnership with NPDC, Inglewood, Waitara and Spotswood High Schools, is helping 50 students to achieve their restricted licence. Having already passed the learner licence phase of the programme, students are now on the road learning to drive. Around a third of the students are learning with the help of a Taranaki Futures volunteer driver and vehicle. It’s this vehicle John and his team will keep an eye on.

Thanks APS for supporting Taranaki youth to get on the road – and one step closer to employment.

The annual ETC Awards was another special event to celebrate the success of engineering and electrical apprentices across Taranaki.

The overall winner of the night was Joel Campbell from Fonterra Whareroa – who took home the the Engineering Taranaki Consortium (ETC) Apprentice of the Year Award for 2019 title.

ETC Training Manager Dave Cullen says: “Joel has achieved across the board with his theory and practical assessments. He is taking on complex work and has a good rapport with his manager and peers. Joel backs up his achievements with the essential skills of great communication and teamwork.”

Joel headed off one of the largest fields of applicants the judges have seen in the awards 15-year history.
“We’ve seen a good increase in both the number of award nominations this year across both the engineering and electrical categories thanks to Taranaki employers who support and invest in apprentice training,” says Cullen.

The ETC judging panel reported that this year’s winners stood out from their peers with some excellent workplace portfolios and achievements.

Congratulations to all the 2019 winners!

More than 50 young people have their learner licence and are on the road to a career thanks to NPDC and Taranaki Futures.

NPDC invested $50,000 in the programme which saw students from Inglewood High School, Waitara High School and Spotswood College get help with learning to drive through road code training and lessons from driver mentors.

The project aims to open up job opportunities and career paths for the teenagers by removing the barriers some students have to getting their restricted licence.

New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom said it was a ‘win-win’ for tradies and small businesses and teenagers looking for their first job and it was fantastic to hear that 53 students now have their learner licence thanks to the scheme.

 “This has been a project that’s been close to my heart so I’m absolutely thrilled to see these kids get their restricted driver licence,” said Mayor Holdom. “Not all kids get the help they need to learn to drive so this scheme is great for those who want their restricted driver licence as they leave school and head out into the workforce.

Taranaki Futures General Manager Belinda Mooney says: “This programme is all about removing the barriers for students to obtain their restricted driver licence – it is an essential requirement for many employers today. Students have given up their holiday time and added to their study workload to be part of this programme – it is great to see their hard work translating to success.

“Supporting students to success on this programme has also been no small ask of the schools involved. Their dedication to their students is second to none, we are very lucky to have such fantastic school leadership teams in our schools.” 

 “It’s been a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in something which will gain them independence and help them significantly with their future career,” says Inglewood High School’s Pathways Advisor Diane Foreman.

A call for mentors in July saw a great response with 12 volunteers – including a stunt-car driver! – putting their hands up to help the kids. All the students on the course had three AA driving lessons and 16 opted for further practical training with the mentors and a Taranaki Futures automatic car. “I’d like to a say a big ‘thank you’ as well to the 12 mentors who stepped up to help the students. It’s pleasing to see so many volunteers coming forward to help out the students.” says Belinda. 

The pilot programme included a week-long intensive road code training, the learner licence test and learning to drive. Still to come in 2020 is a defensive driving course and then the restricted licence test.

Taranaki Futures board saw three new faces join the team at the AGM in July. Strengthening the connection to the education sector, Chair Steve Scott is pleased to welcome Rachel Williams (Principal, Hawera High) and John Snook (CEO, WITT) to the team. “Having members from the education sector around the board table helps to ensure we maintain relevance with what is happening in schools and our local polytechnic today” says Steve. The third new member is Pat Hills, CEO of Wells Group. With extensive experience managing a variety of large organisations, Pat brings an important industry perspective.

The remaining trustees comprise a mix of industry, Maori participation and community organisations. Together they seek to govern the organisation towards delivering to its purpose of enabling Taranaki rangatahi towards prosperous pathways from education to employment. “It is the different lenses applied by Trustees that helps to transcend the complex space between education to employment” says Steve.

Earlier this month the organisation moved from its offices in Taranaki House on Robe Street around the corner to Level 1 of Chamber House. The move adds to the Chamber of Commerce partnership enjoyed by Taranaki Futures.

After a term of students in industry gaining leadership experience, the Taranaki Futures Accelerator programme was brought to a close with a combined graduation celebration including students, business mentors, coaches, the school leadership community, parents and Taranaki Futures supporters.

General Manager Belinda Mooney was delighted with the programme outcomes, siting the benefits of the programme to both students in helping them to define their future pathways, and business mentors gaining insight into today’s young people.

With a purpose to enable Taranaki youth towards prosperous pathways from education to employment, Accelerator is Taranaki Future’s internship and mentoring programme. Founded by Jonathan Young in 2016, it is designed to help improve the pathway between education and employment.