The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has seen the development of a range of significant regional projects, supporting community wellbeing and helping drive economic development, creating job and training opportunities.
A vital role in New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19, these projects have created hundreds of new jobs.
However, while the region has had an increase in jobs available, as reflected in the Infometrics quarterly report, employers are struggling to find capable staff to fill them.
One way to help with this is to connect businesses to the various training support packages that are available.
Toi EDA Chief Executive, Donna Perese says there is an urgent need to attract people to the Eastern Bay’s workforce and support them through training – a goal of Toi EDA is to connect businesses to the support they need to train and retain their employees.
Donna says workforce development is a critical priority in the current climate, and there are a range of resources available to employers.
Work and Income provide a Māori Trades and Training Fund, designed to encourage Māori organisations to try different approaches to engaging and keeping Māori in employment-focused training opportunities.
The apprenticeship boost is also available to employers to help take on new apprentices.
Other great resources for employers include:
- Mana in Mahi
- Skills for Industry
- Flexi-wage subsidy
- Support for people with disabilities or health conditions
Additional avenues of support for businesses include:
