An 'exciting” new training consortium to encourage young Maori and Pasifika to become qualified in trades has been rolled out in the Bay of Plenty this week.

It aims to bring together education expertise, student support and employment prospects, leading to a range of opportunities for Maori and Pasifika aged 18-34 interested in a career in infrastructure and associated trades.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is part of a new consortia to encourage young Maori and Pasifika to become qualified in trades. Photo: Supplied.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce announced the consortium, made up of Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Nga Potiki a Tamapahore, local industry partners, and a joint initiative between Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment and the Tertiary Education Commission.

The polytechnic's education and Maori development director Kieran Hewitson says it is an exciting initiative for the community as well as the country.

'Our economic success depends on increasing the skill levels and opportunities of Māori and Pasifika, who will make up a large part of our national workforce in the future,” says Kieran.

'The demand for skilled tradespeople is expected to be high over the next several years.

'The demand for skilled workers in construction and engineering is currently up by more than 16 per cent nationwide compared to last year according to Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment stats.”

Maori and Pacific Island young people are able to apply for a scholarship through the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, which covers the fees component of the programme of study and support to find work placements.

The first full-time training programme scholarship will be offered for the Certificate in Carpentry programme starting in May. The year-long course is designed to help students develop their skills to enable them to sign up for an apprenticeship.

The Trustees of Nga Potiki Trust are thrilled that this training opportunity has come to fruition, labelling it a 'great opportunity” for their rangatahi Maori and Pasifika.

The trustees hope to leverage off the construction boom occurring in the Bay, and Tauranga specifically, and to provide training and work opportunities going forward. The goal is to upskill and find employment for trainees between 18-34 years old.

'It's great that government, our public training facilities like Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and iwi groups can work together to realise the aspirations of our rangatahi,” say the trustees.

The consortia is one of three new consortia nationwide, joining 12 providers already chosen to assist young Maori and Pasifika people to gain qualifications, New Zealand apprenticeships and employment in trades that are in demand across the country.

Steven Joyce says the unique programme provides the opportunity to develop a trade and get into meaningful employment that will benefit them right through their working lives.

'With a growing economy, the demand for skilled tradespeople will only increase over the next few years,” says Steven.

'This programme brings together employers, trainers, students and their families to provide a seamless path to fulltime employment.”

Future scholarships will be available in automotive technology and electrical engineering at the Bay of Plenty consortia.

Information about these scholarships will be presented at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic at 6pm on Thursday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 14. Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend.