Grant Macdonald, Training for work learning facilitator, Gisborne

A one-on-one approach is proving a winner for EIT Tairäwhiti students who are part of the new Training for Work programme.

The programme gives a helping hand to those who can’t get work because they are missing necessary training. Students are referred by Work and Income for the 13- week programme.

Gisborne programme facilitator Grant McDonald says the individual learning plans created for each student match their current skills and aspirations to make sure they get the help they need to get them into the work force.

He has around 30 students of all ages and backgrounds on his books, and while the programme has only been going since July, already has some success stories.

“For a lot of them it is helping them find that direction,” says Grant. “So they end up spending a bit more time thinking about themselves in a positive light and using those attributes to go forward.”

Grant contacts employers directly making it a far more personal approach for both the student and potential employer.

“We’re also seeing a bit of a cohort effect too, with friends helping each other out. As Kiwis we have a bit of a tendancy towards the tall poppy syndrome and it’s not often we tell each other what our good points are.”

As well as gaining any necessary qualifications, students have time in the work place. At the end of the 13 weeks it is hoped students are at a standard of being employable and immediately able to contribute to a business.

EIT covers learning centres in Waipukurau,Hastings, Wairoa and Tairäwhiti, with four new facilitator positions established across the sites.

There are 124 places available on the programme in the first year, which have been spread over the four centres, worked out on the number of unemployed on the books at Work and Income who meet the criteria for the Training for Work programme.

The free programme is offered nationally through the Ministry of Social Development. Topics covered include horticulture, forestry, retail, tourism, hospitality and business.

The continuing success of the programme will be firmly based on positive outcomes in either employment or further training.