More than 3500 Pacific workers upskilled
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is celebrating the successful completion of Project Ikuna, a groundbreaking government-funded in-work training programme that has seen more than 3500 Pacific workers from approximately 360 Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland businesses upskill during work hours to become future ready.
Launched by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited in 2020, Project Ikuna was available to Auckland businesses wanting to upskill Pacific workers in jobs more likely to be affected by automation and other technological change, while creating a better employee experience.
Project Ikuna initially offered two short courses – Future Ready: Money Confidence and Future Ready: Life Online – before expanding the course offering to 12 Future Ready courses including Assertiveness and Confidence, Preparing for Home Ownership, Conflict Resolution and Preparing for Your Retirement.
Nick Hill, CE of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the region’s economic and cultural agency, says Pacific peoples play an important role in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s economy and Project Ikuna is an example the organisation working in partnership to ensure they have economic choice and live economically and socially prosperous lives.
“We’re delighted to celebrate the success of Project Ikuna and the achievements of its learners. The new skills they have gained can work as a stepping stone to further training, study or to progress to a higher-paid jobs. Higher-paid jobs are important for improving living standards and wellbeing outcomes for our people and communities, as well as Auckland’s and New Zealand’s economy,” says Nick Hill.
Project Ikuna received funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Auckland Pacific Skills Shift Initiative known as Alo Vaka, designed to support Auckland’s Pacific peoples to adapt to the future of work as well as, at its launch in 2020, the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Hon Melissa Lee, Minister for Economic Development says through Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s delivery of Project Ikuna, learners have gained more than 4200 externally accredited qualifications recognising their new skills.
“As we look to rebuild the economy, New Zealand’s Pacific communities will have a significant role to play. I’m pleased that MBIE was able to support Project Ikuna in equipping its learners with the skills and know-how to not only succeed in their workplace, but also help boost the wider economy,” says Hon Melissa Lee.
Since its launch, employees from a wide range of sectors including hospitality, manufacturing and processing, healthcare, transport and logistics, and construction and infrastructure have participated in Project Ikuna.
James McIntosh, Head of People and Performance at Fletcher Steel says the division of Fletcher Building has seen some life-changing shifts in its Pacific workers’ financial knowledge and confidence since taking part in Project Ikuna.
“We’re proud our Fletcher Reinforcing team took part in a range of Project Ikuna courses, which have provided them with invaluable tools and skills for at work and at home. The Future Ready: Money Confidence course sparked positive, open conversations around finances within the team and their families, which is incredibly empowering for our people.
“Supporting our team to grow not only in their roles but in their personal lives as well is a priority for us. It’s inspiring to see the confidence and capability that has come from this initiative, and the ripple effect it’s having in all aspects of their lives. It's not always easy to schedule the time for these programmes but the feedback from the team motivated us to lock them in our calendars,” says James McIntosh.
Tuainekore Moeareauri, a Fletcher Reinforcing team member who participated in Project Ikuna says while he was initially apprehensive about joining the Future Ready: Money Confidence course, it was a huge benefit to him.
"The course has helped me think differently about saving and setting financial goals, and it’s made me feel more sure about the way we manage things for the future. Before I went on the course, I didn't do a lot of planning or thinking ahead. But now, I sit down with my family, and we talk openly about money and plan for the future.”
The success of Project Ikuna is being celebrated today at Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series: Enabling a future ready workforce, an event bringing together Pacific leaders with business, and local and central government to elevate the voice of Pacific peoples in Tāmaki Makaurau and share aspirations and expectations for their presence and participation in the region’s future.
Nick Hill says the event is designed to shift the narrative on the contribution of Pacific peoples to Auckland's economy and forge a continued path for lifting Pacific engagement and prosperity.
“Auckland’s Pacific population is young and growing, with Pacific peoples accounting for nearly 17 per cent of the population and more than half of that are under 25. However, they are over-represented in lower-skilled roles in critical industries and jobs that are at risk of being replaced by automation and other technological change.
“Project Ikuna has helped ensure our region’s Pacific workers are future ready in a time of rapid change, and today’s event – Auckland Pacific Economic Insights Series: Enabling a future ready workforce – enables us to continue an action-oriented conversation to support further positive outcomes for our region’s Pacific peoples,” says Nick Hill.