MEDIA RELEASE 11 OCTOBER 2010

Enhancing career prospects for young Pacific people

A new report looking at possible careers for today’s young Pacific peoples has found a mismatch between future job growth areas and current subject choices and achievement at school.

Published by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, the report says the key to improving future employment prospects for Pacific people lies in effective schooling and choosing the right subjects.

Current trends show that Pacific peoples continue to be over-represented in low-skilled, low-paid jobs.

“The best way forward for Pacific peoples is sound education at primary and secondary level, and choosing the NCEA subjects that fit areas of future employment demand and/or tertiary studies,” Ministry Chief Executive Dr Colin Tukuitonga says.

“Pacific peoples will be ten percent of the population by 2026, compared with six percent now. Today’s Pacific students need to be better informed about subjects, qualifications and future career pathways, and they need better support at tertiary level so that they stay and complete their qualifications.”

Currently only 27.8 percent of Pacific school leavers qualify for university compared with 51.7 percent for Europeans and 67.8 percent for Asians.

“Our young people need to succeed not only for their own sakes, but so they can play their part in New Zealand’s future,” Dr Tukuitonga said.

The report, developed by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and the Department of Labour, looked at occupations and industries with the highest future growth forecast, the current numbers of Pacific peoples now employed in those areas and the educational pathways required for high-skilled, high-growth employment.

It identifies the top 10 growth occupations by 2018, and offers a number of suggestions for improving labour market prospects for Pacific people.

ENDS

© Scoop Media