Update: Work Ready Passport
Following on from the very successful FORUM that was hosted by the Ministry of Education and supported by KCDC through its Economic Development strategy in May this year, a small group has been working with the Ministry of Education and SKILLS NZ to meet the objective of Building Capability for people seeking work in the region.
Youth Pathways to Employment is a community initiative that sets out to engage young people in meaningful local employment and opportunities for skills and workforce development. There are three areas of the Youth Pathways to Employment Programme:
- Strategy Group aligned to the KCDC Economic Development Leadership Committee to identify key areas of activity
- Action Group focused on developing a TRUST to oversee and coordinate initiatives
- Ōtaki Pilot designed to establish a model for working with educational providers and employers which will ultimately be taken district wide.
We have already had a successful follow up meeting with employers in the following sectors: Retirement, Tourism and Hospitality, Creative, Construction, and the Financial and Service sectors. There was unanimous support for the establishment of a TRUST which will provide a “connection” point with a Coordinator able to build relationships, manage projects and provide a central communication point for employers and people seeking work in the district.
The first – and most important part of the project and being managed alongside the development of a TRUST is the development of a Work Ready Passport. Work has already started with Employers around the development of this.
What’s in it for business?
The Work Ready Passport is designed around employer needs. We have asked (and are working with) local employers to define what Work Ready means and the best way for people entering the workforce to prove themselves. We also want to know how employers work with new employees in the first 90 days and what they need to demonstrate for to successfully confirm their employment.
The Work Ready Passport will provide many benefits for employers, particularly in the tricky area of recruitment and induction. Employees will need to start a process well before they start looking for work. The Passport will be:
- Recruitment and induction tool for identifying those with a “Work Ready” attitude
- A facilitated relationship with training providers focused on employer needs
- Cutting down the productivity gap (from trainee to employee)
- Employers leading the quality assurance and moderation of the “Work Ready Passport”
- A tool for recognising Gateway and Work Experience placements
- A bigger pool of people joining the workforce with “Work Ready” attitude and experience to prove it
The Work Ready Passport is made up of tasks – approved by both the education sector and employers – which have been linked to employment skills that need to be demonstrated within the first 90 days. WorkThese tasks are taught over a period of time and signed off either by educators, community organisations, colleges – or a combination of all.
College students may learn all these task through a specified training plan. It will also be valid and available for people changing careers who may already have some of these skills but need to complete outstanding tasks. It is designed not to be onerous, rather to be about changing behaviours and attitudes.
The Youth Pathways to Employment Strategy group is working with Bruce Morgan from SKILLS on this project and aligning with other regions (eg Taranaki, Manawatu, Tararua etc) that are also working through a similar process. Developing a TRUST is an integral part of the success of this project as a consultative group will be required to act as the gatekeeper of the Passport.
The lead contacts are:
Employers – Bruce Morgan: [email protected]
Pathways to Employment Trust – Ann Verboeket: [email protected]
Ministry of Education – Tina Sims: [email protected]