The role of our Workforce Development team
The role of our Workforce Development team is to ‘join the dots’ around workforce matters locally.
In 2014, Ōpōtiki stakeholders – government agencies, Iwi, community partners, industry leaders, education providers, and training providers – committed to a co-ordinated, locally-led workforce development approach now called Mahi Ora Ōpōtiki – Workforce Matters. The mission is “together growing good jobs and the workforce”.
The Workforce Development Team has a dedicated workforce team to co-ordinate and support workforce stakeholders, plans, and activities. We work with local Iwi, employers, community, and government stakeholders to implement the Mahi Ora Ōpōtiki plan. We manage the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs Community Resilience Programme, and oversee local Class 1 Driver Licensing initiatives. We support stakeholders to identify gaps and barriers in the workforce and help find solutions around, for example, Class 1 driver licensing, training, and skill development. We awhi employers who are creating job opportunities locally, and help people prepare for, gain, and retain these jobs.
Current Local Job Vacancies and Training Opportunities
We compile information about current local vacancies and training opportunities in fortnightly updates and send these to anyone who joins the subscription list. Some vacancy listings take you to external websites for more information and/or the application process, and others just provide contact details for your follow-up.
We also collate information about training available locally, and co-ordinate a programme of short course entry-level qualifications/tickets frequently in demand by our local industries and sectors.
Local Workforce Support and Assistance for Jobseekers
On this
page you will find information on the local Ōpōtiki organisations and agencies
that can assist and support job seekers. That includes if you're seeking work,
training, or education, if you want help to get work ready, or would like help
finding your pathway to employment.
Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs
The Ōpōtiki
Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs Programme is a partnership between Councils and the
national
Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs, supported by the
Ministry of Social Development. This is a national initiative to assist
employers and job seekers. It offers subsidies, support and training.
Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs Subsidies
One
initiative through the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs is the availability of
subsidies when local employers take on job seekers who have been unemployed,
COVID displaced or made redundant, in insecure employment, or are disadvantaged
in the labour market in some way. The funds can be applied to e.g., purchasing PPE
or tools, or for important tickets or training. For more information
workforce@odc.govt.nz.
Think Rural
Think Rural is an MSD and MTFJ joint initiative aimed at encouraging
New Zealanders to rediscover the many opportunities and lifestyle perks of
living and working rurally. You can visit the official website for more
information, to read about what different rural areas around the country have
to offer, and to register your interest in potentially relocating to a new
area.
The link to the Ōpōtiki District
Think Rural page can be found here.
Class 1 Driver Licensing - Growing the Ōpōtiki Community Driver Mentor Programme
In 2017, Ōpōtiki District Council established the Ōpōtiki Community Driver Mentoring Programme, in partnership with other funders, such as the Bay of Plenty Regional Council who provided the vehicles used in the programme. Eastbay REAP delivers this programme locally and almost 300 young people have achieved their Restricted or Full Licences to date. We're pleased to also be working with other local Class 1 Driving Instructors and Defensive Driving teachers as well. Working together, we can improve our rate of licenced drivers, and road safety. This is a free service that provides mentoring, practice drives in both Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne, a pre-drive practice immediately before your official test, and a vehicle to practice/sit your test in, if needed.
Pop into Eastbay REAP at 93 Church Street, Ōpōtiki, between the hours of 8:45am-12:15pm Monday to Friday, to see how they can help. Or, you can contact the Ōpōtiki mentor Nams directly at Nams@eastbayreap.org.nz.
Want to receive regular updates or let us know you're looking for work?
You can use our online form to sign up to receive one or all of the follwing:
- Our emails about Local Jobs and Training
- Newsletters on the latest Workforce Development happenings
- To let us know you're looking for work
- To ask a specific question of the team
