Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Connection, reengagement and employability skills are just some of the key aims from last month’s inaugural Skills/MSD Job Fair held in Manukau, Auckland.
Hundreds of job seekers and students were keen to see what was on offer with local and international businesses and recruitment agencies ready to seek out potential employees.
Freight and logistics, service and hospitality, health and aged care, building, construction and trades were just some of the sectors represented at the fair.
Manu Palelei GM, Government and Strategic Partnerships Chief Pacific Advisor – Skills Consulting Group, says employers are crying out for staff.
“They’re crying out for staff because we’ve got a lot of New Zealanders that are being attracted, lured, by the money overseas. There’s shortages in every area that you look at so they’re looking really for anyone that’s willing to, and ready, to start now.”
Manu adds, “we’re also working with employers that are looking to take on staff that will then have a growth mindset to envisage what they could do with those staff and move them up the channel so they become tomorrow’s leaders for the organisations as well.”
Team leader Caroline Ligi-Harris from Pacific Work Connect says the fair is a great resource for those who are not familiar with New Zealand’s labour force.
“We deliver a 10-hour pre-career service and we use our own frameworks, we use Kakala, putting together an ula to help them understand the gifts and the talents they have already, and then we also help them to look at the job market here in Niu Sila and what that looks like.”
Another key focus is to help students not only to seek out a potential career but also encourage further studies that may help with securing that dream job.
Manu Palelei says the impact of Covid on Pacific students is still being felt today.
“Covid did a lot of damage to our communities in more ways than one, so we’ve been running different initiatives throughout the year working with our Kura, working with our communities all around employability skills.
“It was about introducing them and reengaging them effectively … it’s now about us saying now that we’ve prepared you with your CVs, interview skills, we’re bringing the employers to you.”
Samuelu Sefuiva from Māori & Pasifika Trades Training, says the opportunities are there ready and waiting.
“I think what we’re really trying to say to people, in particular to our people, is that this is the best time in the environment that we have to get quality work. It means that they can start stepping up and getting well paid wages and build up their qualifications.”
Manu says while the aim is to get people into jobs, it is also about long term goals for both the employer and employee.
“ It’s not just about hiring them today, but it’s hiring them with a vision and a view to actually continue their journey in education as well and how do they upskill in the workplace and introduce vocational education so they continue to learn and prosper.”
