Mayors Taskforce for Jobs
The Kaikōura District Council are committed to creating opportunities for sustainable employment for 50 people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEETS) and/or have been displaced from their employment under Covid-19 through the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) Community Recovery Programme. This programme is led by our Mayor, Craig Mackle, and is delivered in collaboration with Te Hā o Mātauranga.
Sustainable employment outcomes are the target through the Community Recovery Programme. All employment outcomes will be monitored, including casual, part-time, or permanent.
This initiative is to provide Council with funding for:
1) Funding assistance directly for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to support with recruitment, training, wage subsidy support for at risk youth or initiatives that will enable employment (supporting SMEs with transport costs, for example, including transport suitable for physical distancing).
2) Finding sustainable employment for Youth (aged 16 -25), those whose employment has been affected by COVID-19 and ex NCTIR staff from our community.
3) In Kaikōura we have employed a Local Coordinator; Sean Madden, Youth Employability Facilitator; Rosie Poharama- Hepi and a Driving Coordinator; Renee Wood. Contact details below.
4) Outward Bound has partnered with MTFJ to provide Outward Bound scholarships valued at $3,600 for selected New Zealand youth connected to MTFJ. Click here for more information.
Local employment secured to help the environment - May 2021
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) are funding 9 locals to tackle invasive vines such as Old Man's Beard and Banana Passionfruit around selected parts of the Kaikōura township over the next 8 weeks.The opportunity arose when Kaikōura Vines Free Project Group, Kaikōura District Council and MTFJ came together with the common goal to provide employment whilst helping the environment.
Environment Canterbury is providing training and materials such as poison gel, this is painted on the cut trunks to ensure the vines do not grow again. The Council is supplying all the cutting equipment and Innovative Waste Kaikōura has offered administration support.
Although the initial jobs are only for 8 weeks it is hoped that through the training and experience gained full time employment could be gained. If you see this hard working group, stop and say a big hello, it's pretty physical working, often on steep terrain without paths.
Achievements to date - May 2021
Since October 2020 MTFJ have engaged with 250 clients through employment or training opportunities.
- We have now assisted 56 people into work since October 2020.
- We currently have young people looking for apprenticeships and positions in the following areas: Plumbing, Building, Construction, Retail, Electrical, and Hospitality.
If you can help in any way get in touch.
Youth Employment and Driving Coordination achievements to date - May 2021
Youth Employability Programme
There are 7 senior students enrolled and working closely with Kaikōura High School.
Driving Coordination
- 20 individuals taking part in driver mentoring
- 94 practical drive sessions
- 21 learners license passed
- 13 restricted license passed
- 3 full license passed
How to engage with this service
Local MTFJ Coordinator
Sean Madden 027 3722248, email sean@kaikoura.link or drop into 14 Ludstone Road and talk to one of our friendly team at Te Hā o Mātauranga, Learning in Kaikōura.
Sean is connecting businesses and those seeking work in the Kaikoura and assisting with their training needs.
Click these links for more information on an Apprenticeship Boost and a Digital Boost for businesses.
Youth Employability Facilitator
Rosie Poharama- Hepi 027 371 9240
Rosie is running the Youth Employment Program and sees her role as creating inspiration in our youth and community. Click here for more information.
Driving Coordinator
Renee Wood 027 201 7638
Renee is supporting locals though the driver licencing process. This includes providing courses, helping sorting out the correct paperwork for licence, booking licences and driver mentoring sessions.
For more information on MTFJ, or to speak with Mayors and programme participants, please contact LGNZ Senior Communications Advisor Daniel Webster on 022 524 1217 or email daniel.webster@lgnz.co.nz.
COVID-19 Support
- A new Short Term Absence Payment to cover eligible workers needing to stay at home while awaiting a Covid-19 test result. This is a one-off payment of $350 to employers to pay workers who need to stay home while awaiting a test or while someone who is their dependent is doing so, in accordance with public health advice. Further information about this payment is available on the MSD website.
- The Leave Support Scheme helps businesses to help pay workers (including self employed) told to self-isolate because of Covid-19. It’s paid as a lump sum and covers two weeks per eligible employee at the rates of $585.80 for each employee working 20 hours or more a week and $350 for each employee working less than 20 hours a week. Information is available here.
- The Wage Subsidy Scheme will also be available nationally when there’s a regional or national move to Alert Levels three and four for a period of seven days. The support will be provided in two weekly payments for the duration of the alert level period, rounded to the nearest fortnight.
Other support includes the enhanced loan products Business Finance Guarantee Scheme, which is available to June 2021 and Small Business Cashflow Scheme.
More information can be found on the COVID-19 website.
