Māori & Pasifika Trades Training: Strengthening Pathways for Ākonga Success
The MPTT team continues to focus on learner success, leadership development, and strong employer relationships to ensure our ākonga are supported into meaningful, sustainable employment. Here’s a snapshot of recent progress:
Strengthening Learner Engagement
We’ve launched our Transition to Work workshops in partnership with Social Labour Supply, equipping ākonga with practical tools for employment. These sessions are shaped by real-time insights from our employer network.
Feedback from ākonga is actively informing our Manaakitanga Strategy — ensuring we’re providing the right support to help them complete their qualifications. New ideas, like forming sports teams, are emerging to help strengthen whanaungatanga and peer support.
Supporting Ākonga Voice & Leadership
Six MPTT ākonga have been selected to deliver an ākonga-led workshop at the upcoming 2025 Amotai Navigate Summit.
A series of capability-building sessions is underway to help grow their confidence and leadership skills ahead of the event.
Strengthening Employer & Industry Relationships
We’ve expanded our employer network to open more targeted job opportunities for our ākonga.
We recently attended the opening of The Skills Org’s new Highbrook facility — a $4.5 million investment in the future of electrical training, including innovative programmes from pre-trades to micro-credentials designed for the Navy.
Maximising Opportunities for Ākonga
With 83% of our MPTT scholarships filled by May, we’re continuing to explore new pathways. We joined the Ara Charitable Trust Open Day to identify further opportunities that can support ākonga into meaningful trades careers.
We’re proud of the progress so far and remain committed to creating opportunities that support ākonga to thrive — both in training and beyond.
Celebrating the Success of Projekt You
We recently had the privilege of holding a special day for our ākonga, Projekt You. A powerful day of connection, confidence-building, and inspiration for our young Māori and Pasifika trades tauira.
Led by Atarau Powhare-Ellis, who heads TSI’s Māori and Pacific Trades Training (MPTT) programme, alongside Engagement Lead Wendy Savieti, the event took place at Te Puke o Tara Community Centre in Ōtara and brought together a vibrant cohort of rangatahi ready to step into their futures.
The day featured incredible speakers like Jordan Tanielu, who spoke about planting seeds of greatness, and Lana Sheerin, a proud Cook Island/Māori wāhine and engineer, who shared her powerful story of navigating the trades sector — from grassroots to major infrastructure projects like the Waterview tunnel.
Our tauira showed up with energy, curiosity and pride. Projekt You reminded us that when we invest in identity, belonging, and belief — we unlock not just skills, but the confidence to lead.