When business owner Rob Mapu of Centre Line Construction, considers what helped him to grow his new business with confidence, he said it was the trust that he had in Gr8 Job Hauraki’s recruitment programme that nailed it.

With five new employees sourced through the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs Community Employment Programme programme, locally known as Gr8 Job Hauraki, Rob says the support for the whole recruitment process, from the on-boarding phase to financial support for wages or tools for apprentices, has been invaluable.

“Every day I tell my team ‘we’re better together’, and that extends to Gr8 Job Hauraki too. We couldn’t have grown so confidently without their programme,” says Rob.

The programme, a nationwide partnership between Local Government New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has a strong focus on getting young people into sustainable employment. It highlights the power of localism, promoting community-led solutions for youth employment, education and training.

“Knowing I could count on Gr8 Job Hauraki to find the right people for my team, allowed me to focus on all the other elements of running a business. Coming off the tools and focusing on the ‘thinking’ rather than the ‘doing’ aspect of my business was quite daunting at first. With the help of Gr8 Job Hauraki, I was able to build a great team around me, which made it possible,” says Rob.

Gr8 Job Hauraki’s Community Employment Liaison Julie Stephenson’s knack for finding the right fit for Centre Line Construction comes down to the relationship Rob, Allison (Rob’s Mum and Administrator) and Julie have built over the last three years.

“Since the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs Community Employment Programme was launched in 2020, as a way to help local people disadvantaged by the Covid-19 pandemic back into jobs, our Gr8 Job Hauraki brand has extended its mahi to focus on the 18-24 year old age group and people of any age who are disadvantaged in the labour market,” says Julie.

“We’re so proud and humbled to have placed five people into meaningful employment with Centre Line Construction. Seeing the company’s explosive growth has been a real ‘cherry on the cake’ feeling for me.”

Gr8 Job Hauraki works closely with the local community and the Ministry for Social Development to drive employment opportunities in the district.

“It’s about finding the perfect fit for employers and job seekers.

“Give us a go, you may be amazed where you end up.”