Imagine leaving school with a clear direction, the confidence and connections to succeed, and assistance with training fees to help kickstart your career! That’s a benefit Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) offers to young people. MPTT works alongside secondary schools in Tāmaki Makaurau to help school students find supported pathways into the trades—and we’re looking to grow more of these relationships.
Helping schools guide students into trade careers
MPTT encourages schools and kura to connect their students with MPTT’s programmes. Through MPTT, ākonga (students) gain access to fee-free pre-trades training and holistic support from Navigators who understand both Māori and Pasifika cultures and the trades industry. MPTT scholars are equipped with practical work-readiness skills, industry connections, and assistance with job searches.
Building strong school connections
Over the past few months, David Parsons, MPTT Kaitohutohu Ahumahi, has been visiting several schools, talking to career advisers, trade academy students, and meeting whānau (families) at career events.
“It’s great to first make connections through mihi and to share my own pathway into the trades,” David shares. “It’s also satisfying to share the origins of MPTT back in the 1950s, which helps connect with the wider whānau.”
Partnering with schools like One Tree Hill College
One example of how connections can make a difference for students is MPTT’s work with One Tree Hill College. The school has made headlines for its proactive approach to equipping students with trade skills. Students at their Trade Academy have been hands-on retrofitting a former state house. In collaboration with Kāinga Ora, they’ve upgraded it to become a warm, dry, healthy home with an NZGBC HomeStar standard.
One Tree Hill College students and teachers working on the State House they have refurbished. The project run by their teacher Charlotte McKeon was also overseen by a registered builder. (Source: Seven Sharp)
Despite so many students finding their passion through the project, connecting with industry and jobs is still a hurdle, especially in the current economic climate. Working with teacher Charlotte McKeon, MPTT is using its extensive network and industry connections to help these students make their way into jobs or further training to prepare them for the job market when things pick up.
Connecting students with industry insights and opportunities
David Parsons, who brings 21 years of experience with the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), plays a critical role as an industry connector at MPTT. His extensive experience in the industry hows how success grows when the right people work together to benefit rangatahi.
“It’s about making things better for Māori and Pasifika,” says David. Strong relationships with schools play a vital role and supporting more women into the trades is central to this mission.
Making a difference for future wāhine
At One Tree Hill College, Dani Parker said this experience of the trades has given her confidence that she could find her place. “It’s really hard considering there are a lot of males in the industry,” Dani says, “but it’s very cool knowing I can pursue something not many women do.” Dani is now exploring apprenticeships and is eager to build a bigger, stronger community through her future work in the trades.
Like many students introduced to trades, Dani finds hands-on learning more engaging than classroom work.
“I learn more by watching people doing stuff, demonstrating how things work and seeing the tools.”
This experience has given Dani the opportunity to find her passion early, setting herself up for a lucrative, long-term career.
Trade Academy student Dani Parker with teacher Charlotte McKeon. (Source: Seven Sharp)
Preparing Auckland students for long-term trades careers
MPTT places significant emphasis on the importance of becoming trade-qualified; the best way to achieve long-term success in the trades. A trade qualification opens doors to higher earning potential, diverse job opportunities, and the chance to start a business or lead teams in the future.
To be eligible for an MPTT pre-trades scholarship, students must:
- Be of Māori or Pasifika descent
- Live in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland while training
- Be aged between 16 and 40 years
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- Be accepted into a pre-trades course with one of MPTT’s training providers
Reach out to help students achieve their career goals
MPTT welcomes inquiries from schools across Tāmaki Makaurau so that together, we can inform and inspire Māori and Pasifika students to pursue rewarding trades careers and keep them informed about the funding options, pathways and programme benefits available to them. For more information, please contact:
David Parsons
Kaitohutohu Ahumahi
david.parsons@maoripasifikatrades.co.nz