Mayors Taskforce for Jobs comes to Kāpiti

A first cohort of Kāpiti youth have taken steps towards employment through the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme.

Kāpiti Coast District Council has received funding from the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) Community Employment Programme, a nationwide partnership between Local Government New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development.

This funding specifically recognises that Councils are well placed and connected to their communities to facilitate local training and employment outcomes.

See larger image.

The programme has a strong focus on getting young people aged 16-24 into sustainable employment, working through local councils at the grass roots level.

Kāpiti Mayor Janet Holborow says the MTFJ initiative has been successful around New Zealand and will make a real impact in Kāpiti.

Between its inception in 2020 and May 2023 the MTFJ Community Employment Programme placed over 5,000 predominantly young people into work across rural and provincial New Zealand.

“The funding will help us respond to local challenges with tailored solutions,” Mayor Holborow says.

“This will help us deliver real value to those in our community who might be facing some additional barriers in their lives or need some support building their skills.”

Kāpiti Coast MTFJ coordinator Claire Anderson says the first programme, a driver education course that saw 13 rangatahi gain their learner driver licences, was held last week.

“Around 85 percent of entry-level jobs require a driver licence, so not having one can be a real barrier for young people looking to get into the workforce,” Ms Anderson says.

“It was great to help our first group of young people take this important step and we look forward to seeing them move through the graduated driver licence system.

“We’ll be running more of these and other courses over the coming months and welcome applications from other rangatahi who are not in employment or education.”

Allegra Huyser of Paraparaumu was one of the course participants and now holds a learner licence.

The 19-year-old is aiming for a career in the tourism industry, where a driver’s licence is essential.

“I want to become a tour guide and take people around New Zealand,” Allegra says.

“This has really opened the door. It’s been great to work with other people and knowing there are others in the same situation helps.”

Dates for future courses will be announced over the next few months and will be advertised through Council’s usual channels.

For more information or help with employment, contact Claire Anderson by emailing [email protected].

Visit mtfj.co.nz/ for information on the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs.