Since 2019, Link Alliance (the consortium delivering CRL’s main stations and tunnels) and Education Unlimited have been helping Māori and Pasifika youth get to the employment starting line, through a 16-week training course that has strengthened money smarts, built digital capabilities and provided exciting internship opportunities for learners. 

Forty-three youth have graduated from the programme across nine different cohorts, and Link Alliance Social Outcomes Manager Berenize Peita says many have gone on to successfully land jobs in the construction sector.

“Several are still with the Link Alliance in roles such as IT, Environmental Assistant, Risk Assessor, Health and Safety Advisor and Engineering intern, while others have left and are doing painting and plastering apprenticeships, traffic control, or electrical apprenticeships,” says Berenize.  

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The five year initiative wrapped up last month with a graduation ceremony for the final cohort on June 27. Berenize says although the training has finished, the benefits will be long lasting.

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“The PEP has changed rangatahi’s career paths and forged new paths that they may not have previously considered. It has been beneficial because it is a programme where young people develop trust - trust that there really is an organisation that wants them to be successful; trust that their work mentor is there to support them; and most importantly, trust that they are valued and are of value.”

Education Unlimited has played a key role in the process, delivering relevant and engaging workshops that prepare participants for the world of work.

“Education Unlimited provided a professional training programme that was tailored to our needs, and when I wanted to try something else, they created a programme specific to the vision that I had,” says Berenize. “Education Unlimited has grown and adapted with us. They are not just a training provider; they are flexible and responsive and they care about the people that they are delivering training to and for.”

Education Unlimited trainer Thomas Taiaroa has been involved in the last five of the nine PEP training courses, delivering the Ka Ora confidence building programme as well as Money Confidence and Life Online (digital literacy) micro credentials. It has, he says, been “incredibly rewarding work”.

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“It has been fantastic to see the students become more financially literate, more digitally competent, and a lot more confident, particularly in speaking and sharing their experiences,” says Thomas. “I am so proud of each and every one of them for committing to the programme to upskill themselves, both for employment purposes and their own personal development. It has been incredibly rewarding to play a part in empowering rangatahi to be the best version of themselves, and equipping them with the tools to succeed.”

But it’s not just the rangatahi who will reap the benefits.

“I believe that all of the teachings are transferable,” adds Thomas.  “When you teach one person, you impact a village.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Berenize, who adds “PEP isn’t just beneficial for the interns – their experiences also positively benefit families and networks by creating hope and pride for these young people, most of whom are in their first paid job.”

Glenfield 19-year-old Deina Tuiloma is one of those young people. She has just graduated from the final PEP training course, having completed her internship as a Link Alliance Health and Safety Assistant. For her, the programme was a game changer.

“PEP opened my eyes to all the different roles that are out there in construction,” says Deina. “I’ve learnt so many useful skills, such as how to use Google sheets and Google calendar, and how to save and be more in control of my money, and I’ve gained so much confidence. I was initially so shy about starting a new programme, but now I can talk in front of the class and even do presentations!”

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Now she is hoping to land a construction job with Fulton Hogan. It would be a dream come true.

“When I was 7 or 8 my grandad helped me build a dog house, and I’ve wanted to work in construction ever since. This programme is my gateway to a career in the industry.”

Would Deina and her fellow trainees feel so confident about the future if they hadn’t completed the PEP training?

“Who knows?” says Berenize. “But what I do know is that the PEP provided them with an opportunity to view various roles and career pathways within the construction industry. It provided on the job training, life skills training, and was the first step on a tertiary education pathway. It gave them the opportunity to meet with the CEO and Project Director of the largest infrastructure project in Aotearoa, and helped them to develop friendships in an industry that relies on referrals from others.”

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Now that’s a pretty good launch pad.