Training Youth For Generations Of Prosperity
6 minute readWaikato Tainui’s mission is to help its people become financially secure by supporting youth into jobs and building a strong future for generations to come. Thanks to Te Waharoa, a pre-trades training partnership with BCITO and Whatukura Ltd, more than 100 local rangatahi are now working in the trades – and the programme is so successful, it’s recently expanded from Waikato into Auckland.
In 2017, Waikato Tainui approached the various Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) to explore new opportunities in the trades.
“We saw our iwi members could be spending thousands of dollars on studies and not getting jobs at the end of it. They’d be left with debt, and not always be ready for work. We were keen to work better with the ITOs for the sake of our learners,”
explains Kaaro Iti-Moeke, Career Pathways Manager – Maatauranga for Waikato Tainui.
BCITO was the first to offer a programme tailored specifically to Waikato Tainui learners. Despite Covid disruptions, the first cohort of 10 tauira (learners) began in 2020, supported by Greg Kelly, Regional Workforce Development Facilitator at BCITO, and Stu Lawrence, Kai Tautoko at Whatukura Ltd.
Whatukura Ltd delivers Employment, Education, and Enterprise pathways under the kaupapa of Mana Motuhake (self-determination), supporting tauira into apprenticeships and careers. The organisation works closely with whānau, employers and tauira, providing comprehensive pastoral care (Manaaki Tāngata).
With BCITO and employers, Whatukura identifies apprenticeship and career opportunities for tauira. Once these are confirmed, the wider support network — the "village" of the Ministry of Social Development, BCITO, Waikato Tainui, and Whatukura Ltd — begins recruitment. Supported by their whānau, tauira then start the Te Waharoa course.
“It’s key to have the right set-up to mentor people. We don’t just want them to be employees, but trained and qualified, as that’s what will enable them to become more financially secure,” says Kaaro. “BCITO’s support as a match-maker is a big part of our success, using Greg’s network of employers.”
The programme begins with cultural reconnection. Tauira explore their whakapapa through visits to key sites across Waikato and learn about iwi-owned businesses. This grounding helps them understand where they come from, how they are connected, and the important role they play in fulfilling the vision of their iwi.
Whatukura Ltd also gives tauira hands-on exposure to the construction industry — from sand quarries to window factories — to help them understand the full supply chain.
Within the first few weeks of the programme, learners start a paid 90-day trial with employers, beginning a formal apprenticeship once this has been completed. Tauira also receive industry-specific training in skills such as roofing and bricklaying, along with foundational qualifications and knowledge in First Aid, financial literacy, AI, Elevated Work Platform training, 3D printing, CV writing, communication and obtaining a driver’s licence.
“We want our tauira to see themselves not just as what they are, but what we can see them being. We help them better understand their own world as iwi members, and work with employers to help them become comfortable in the business world as well. It’s about inter-generational change,”
says Stu. As the programme has grown – the 14th cohort started this year – Whatukura Ltd has expanded to grow the support available, with the Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) also coming on board. The first Auckland-based courses launched last year.
“We’ve also recently completed a targeted course for a single employer who wanted to take on several trainees. In fact, we have around 10 regular employers who like to take students from us – they’re ringing up and asking for more!” says Greg.
Employer Cam Downing of Downing Construction Ltd remembers Greg fondly as his Training Advisor when Cam was still an apprentice working for his dad Bruce. They didn’t hesitate when Greg offered them a chance to take on more young people through Te Waharoa, first Poutama Silva, then Hyrum Riwai.
“Pou and Hyrum are key members of the DCL family. These guys are punctual, honest, hard workers with positive attitudes. Since taking Pou on, we’ve been a regular business for Te Waharoa intakes to come and visit,” Cam says. “We like how they encourage the next generation to get into the trades. And once we employed Pou and Hyrum, the support was still there for them from Te Waharoa.”
Poutama couldn’t be more positive about the experience.
“Stu and Greg really helped us and encouraged us into work and showed what a good worker looks like. Doing the course, I gained knowledge in a lot of trades that I knew nothing about, and about the workforce in general.”
BCITO is looking for more employers who’d like to be involved in Te Waharoa. To express your interest, reach out at info@bcito.org.nz. Or, if you know a Waikato Tainui iwi member aged 17-24 who’d be interested in applying, visit www.whatukuraltd.co.nz.
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