Whakairohia he toki, tāraia te anamata
Learning with purpose, creating our futures.
At MPTT, we know that collaboration and leadership are vital to ensuring our people can thrive. It’s heartening to see our kaupapa resonate across the sector, with Māori and Pasifika advocates increasingly recognised for the value they bring. To help our people become work-ready, and get set up to thrive in the trades, support at every level is important.
At Te Pukenga, former ITOs have come together as Work Based Learning organisations. Sonya Bishara is Director – Partnerships and Equity at Te Pukenga. Working within the Construction WBL (BCITO) are Jacquie-Anne Heta, Principal Adviser Māori and Therese Fatu, Principal Adviser Pasifika.
At Competenz, David Walding has been appointed to the pivotal role of GM Operational Transformation. Part of his portfolio is to ensure Māori and Pasifika learners and apprentices remain the focus of Competenz operations, especially in manufacturing and engineering. David is supported by Helen Taimarangai (Pacific Lead) and Reg Currin (Trades Careers Advisor), who is also focused on Māori achievement.
At Connexis, Vanessa Veart-Smith is the Māori and Pacific Lead covering Infrastructure.
Our partners are also playing their part
In addition to the WBLs, MPTTs other training partners are also doing what they can to support the success of our Māori and Pasifika students. They include:
- Mita Tupaea, Kaiārahi – Te Ao Māori, Skills Consulting Group
- Manu Palelei, Strategic Business & Performance Manager & Chief Advisor Pasifika, Skills Consulting Group
- Vau Atonio, Trades Campus Manager NZMA
- Kim Roe-Herewini, Academic Administration and Operations Coordinator, OCA
At Etco, the Electrical Training Company, Janice Smith, CFO and Nadia Tuítahi, GM of Academic Operations, are offering training, mentoring and employment opportunities to Māori and Pasifika apprentices. Together with their ‘host’ electrical businesses, they’re helping to increase the number of quality electrical practitioners.
Etco has a mentoring team of electricians and trainers, including former MPTT graduate Chris Luatua.
He’s among those who give ongoing mentoring to tauira to help them meet the qualifying standards. As of October 2022, they will also be giving support to apprentices currently managed by the Skills Consulting Group.
More industry collaboration means more support
From the beginning, our collaborative model has included working with trades employers across the trades sectors. We work closely with major companies and their sub-contracted companies to negotiate onsite training, employment and continued pastoral support to Māori and Pacifika tradies.