Launched in 2020, the government-funded initiative is delivered through Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and since its inception Education Unlimited has played a pivotal role in its journey, both through the development and delivery of this lifechanging programme.

“The Education Unlimited team’s kaupapa of delivering tailor-made workplace training fits seamlessly into Project Ikuna, and this is a project that’s very dear to our hearts,” says Education Unlimited Director Tina Rose.

“The vulnerability of Pasifika and Māori in work has been significantly exacerbated by Covid-19, but through Project Ikuna, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited has amplified the opportunities for these workers, empowered employers to do the right thing, and shown true collaboration by bringing an effective bunch of providers to work together with a clear goal.”

Project Ikuna offers Future Ready courses in a form of micro-credentials which recognise the skills a learner has, enabling them to progress further on the job, earn more, or apply these skills in their everyday life. Each micro-credential earns a digital badge (electronic versions of traditional paper-based certificates) so learners can showcase their skills and achievements.

“Delivering useful, fit-for-purpose digital badges that people can be proud of is an honour and a privilege. The Education Unlimited team developed and delivered the first Future Ready Money Confidence course back in 2020 and we also designed the Future Ready Life Online micro-credential. Now we’re about to pilot Money Confidence 2.0 and Life Online 2.0 – it is an awesome evolution to be at the forefront of.”

Project Ikuna is a win-win for businesses and their people. Employers benefit from upskilling their staff with the skills they need both on and off the job and it helps them become an employer of choice.

Project Ikuna Project Manager Matt Padernal says Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chose to partner with Education Unlimited because of its extensive background in adult education and the pastoral care of learners. Project Ikuna is focused on delivering positive outcomes not just for employers but for workers, their whānau and their communities.

Matt says that each Future Ready micro-credential has a specific set of outcomes so employers can choose which courses will make the most significant difference for their teams.

“However, our graduates have also acknowledged that the training had a positive impact on their resilience, capability, confidence and wellbeing, and this is what makes these courses so important,” says Matt.

It’s great for employers, great for employees and it’s also great for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

“Pacific people are essential to Auckland’s social and economic prosperity. They are over-represented in lower-skilled roles in critical industries, and median incomes for Pacific people are lower than for the general population. Lifting their prosperity opportunities means economic success for Auckland.”

Check out the video clips to see how transformational Future Ready Life Online has been for Semisi Finau and the team at CB Civil.

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Read more about the programme or register your interest here: https://educationunlimited.co.nz/programmes/future-ready-life-online

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