He Toki ki te Rika breakfast attracts rebuild leaders

The He Toki ki te Rika industry breakfast taking place in Christchurch on 9 September 2014, is attracting leaders from across the construction industry.

The event is being staged to provide local businesses with an opportunity to find out more about He Toki and connect with potential employees.

He Toki is a Māori trades training initiative led by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in partnership with CPIT and Hawkins Group. This unique collaborative model leverages the existing strengths, knowledge, experience and capabilities of partner organisations to up-skill Māori for the Canterbury rebuild. The initiative provides the foundation for entry into job and apprenticeship pathways, and then onto leadership roles in the industry.

Since the programme was launched in June 2011 and at the end of 2013, over 276 trainees have graduated with 130 transitions into work and another 133 enrolments in further training. This year, 178 students have enrolled in He Toki.

Around 60 business leaders from the construction sector, representatives involved in delivering the programme and a selection of He Toki trainees will attend the event.

He Toki Patron and Kaiwhakahaere (Chairman) Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Tā Mark Solomon, CPIT Chief Executive Kay Giles, Hawkins General Manager Corporate Affairs Nancy McConnell, Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Nicky Wagner, and Māori Party candiate Ngaire Button will speak at the event.

Hawkins Construction South Island Regional Manager, Steve Taw, said the event is a great opportunity for the industry to draw from talented people from its own community.

“We had a very good number of attendees at the inaugural event last year and we are delighted with the strong interest this year from such a wide range of possible employers,” said Steve Taw.

“We see huge potential from this programme and we are again very happy to showcase it to our peers in the construction industry.

“Hawkins is proud to be involved in He Toki and we see it as an important opportunity to contribute to the ongoing recovery of Christchurch.”

Tā Mark Solomon says Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is taking an active role in training Māori to meet the skill demands of the Canterbury rebuild.

"Ngāi Tahu is very proud of He Toki and what it has achieved to date,” said Tā Mark Solomon.

“We continue to support and encourage our graduates to aim higher and become leaders in the trades industry.

“It is important to all the partners of He Toki that we create leadership opportunities and support graduate aspirations.

“The breakfast is all about the students and opens the doors to opportunities for them. This is also an excellent opportunity for employers to find out about the programme and our aspirations to see our graduates become leaders in the trades industry.”

CPIT Chief Executive, Kay Giles, said the He Toki partnership model had given graduates the tools and networks they needed to access employment opportunities, plan careers and contribute to the rebuild of Christchurch.

“We are pleased to deliver a programme that recalls the Māori trades training of the ‘50s to ‘80s. He Toki incorporates cultural elements such as Te Reo and haka to ensure our graduates are proud of their trades skills and proud to be Māori,” said Kay Giles.

“Our tutors and support staff are passionate about our students’ success and with the help of our partners, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Hawkins, our students are succeeding. They are out there working across Christchurch, doing He Toki proud and paving the way for all of those who follow them.”

The He Toki ki te Rika breakfast will take place in the Blossom Lady Lounge at Addington Raceway on Tuesday 9 September 2014, 7.30am-9.00am.

ENDS

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