‘Disconnected youth and young adults who are neither in school nor in the labour force are at risk of becoming permanently disengaged from the labour market.’ Whakatu Marae’s Wonderful Wahine youth-to-work programme in Nelson aims to keep young Maori girls at school longer.
The programme is now in its fourth year and has an annual intake of around 30 participants. Whakatu Marae in partnership with Nayland College, Nelson, has designed the programme to keep girls at school longer. The programme allows young girls to share their aspirations with others, look at career opportunities, build new relationships and listen to what other young role models have to say. The programme also gives participants the unique opportunity to learn from the experiences of their Kuia.
Participants find they have better social interaction with peers, whanau and community after the programme. Relationships with teachers, school counsellors and the school are also strengthened as a result and girls remain at school for longer.
Disengaged youth that are neither in school nor the labour market are unable to contribute meaningfully to their own lives, family, the economy and wider community. This represents a great waste of resources and human potential.
FACT: Increased levels of education have contributed to employment but in 2009 Maori youth aged 15–24 years had one of the highest rates of unemployment.
Benefits of a successful youth-to-work programme:
- Provides successful transition from school to tertiary education, vocational training and work leading to better life-long outcomes.
- Encourages young people to become engaged and active in their communities.
- Helps satisfy the growing demand for entry level and lower skilled workers in New Zealand.
For further information contact:
Carol Hippolite Linda McDougall
Whakatu Marae School Guidance Counsellor
99 Atawhai Drive Nayland College
Nelson, New Zealand 166 Nayland Road, Stoke, Nelson
Phone: +64 3 546 9097 Ph: 03 547 9769 ext 808
Email: kaiawhina@whakatumarae.co.nz