Rebuild industry to talk He Toki over breakfast

MEDIA RELEASE
24 July 2013

Rebuild industry to talk He Toki over breakfast 

Business leaders from across the construction industry have been invited to attend a He Toki ki te Rika breakfast event hosted by Hawkins Construction at CPIT on Friday 26 July.

He Toki is a Māori trades training initiative led by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in partnership with CPIT and Hawkins Construction. 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.

The event will allow businesses to learn about He Toki, talk to local firms with a track record of supporting the initiative, and find out what trainees could offer their business. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet and network with the speakers and industry peers.

The breakfast will feature guest speakers Tā Mark Solomon, Kaiwhakahaere (Chairman) Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Hana O’Regan, CPIT Kaiārahi (Director) of Māori and Pasifika and student services, and Steve Taw, South Island Regional Manager Hawkins Construction.

Steve Taw said the aim of the session is to raise the profile of He Toki ki te Rika while boosting employment opportunities in the construction sector.

“Hawkins is incredibly proud of our involvement in He Toki ki te Rika,” said Steve Taw.

“The breakfast event is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of the initiative and champion a talented group of young trainees onto the first step of the construction career ladder.

“With the support of the construction community we can inspire and foster Māori success by increasing the number of Māori entering into meaningful trades careers.”

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

"We are proud of He Toki and the success it has created so far. Our graduates may start as the laborers or hammer-hands, but we want them to go on and become the supervisors, the project managers, the foreman - it’s about leadership,” said Tā Mark Solomon.

“The breakfast is 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 Kaiārahi Hana O’Regan said He Toki graduates were doing the programme proud and proving an asset to employers.

“They’re out there in the industry working, contributing to the rebuild of Canterbury and taking paths to further training and up-skilling,” said Hana O’Regan.

“The feedback that we are receiving is that our graduates have the skills and attitude that employers need – they are ready to work and keen to learn.”

The He Toki ki te Rika breakfast will take place at Visions Restaurant at CPIT on Friday 26 July 7.30am-9.00am.

ENDS

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