Tolaga Bay jobs boost thanks to growth fund

WORKING TOGETHER: Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones went to Tolaga Bay yesterday where he caught up with the participants and programme manager (far right) of Kuru Contracting Workforce Development Project. MP Kiri Allan (second right) accompanied Mr Jones. They are pictured at Cooks Cove walkway. Picture supplied

TWO new employment initiatives will help create job opportunities for more than 100 people at Tolaga Bay.

The projects were announced by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson yesterday.

They will be funded through the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund.

“Tolaga Bay is an incredibly tight-knit community, but one in need of support to overcome a high unemployment rate, isolation and a lack of job opportunities,” Mr Jones said.

“The PGF support gives local people on the ground the tools and resources to help overcome these challenges, through opportunities in the construction and horticulture sectors.”

The funding would provide $736,000 to Kuru Contracting’s Workforce Development Project and would allow Kuru Contracting, which works in forestry and road construction, to train 27 new employees and upskill 50 staff members.

“Kuru Contracting is very grateful to be given the funding for the workforce development project,” Kuru Contracting chief executive Ma Parata said.

“The project works with Kuru Contracting as we make it our business to train and support our people to have better lives.

“We make it our policy to support our people. If we can support people into work and offer wrap-around services, it will benefit our people and that, in turn, benefits their whanau and the region.”

Another $564,000 will be provided for the Uawanui Cultural Nursery Training Project, run by Te-Aitanga-a-Hauiti Centre of Excellence Trust.

Mr Jackson said it was essential to provide specialised support for rangatahi who faced barriers to employment, as well as access to the right opportunities.

“The $1.3m in funding for Tolaga Bay shows this Government’s commitment to all communities in New Zealand, no matter their size or location,” Mr Jackson said.

The Uawanui Cultural Nursery Training Project would give 28 rangatahi the opportunity to learn ecological restoration practices over two years, while gaining qualifications from local education providers.

The project will address the high unemployment rate in the district by focusing on young people at risk of long- term unemployment.