Talent Central

Talent Central works with youth to support them to become work ready, as well as inspire them about what their potential futures after school look like. Talent Central (TC) received funding from the Te Ara Mahi Provincial Growth Fund in 2020. The Talent Central agreement started in March 2020 and focused on school leavers. The project concluded in February 2024 with 3595 students engaged in the TC “WorkReady Course”, 2,225 students visiting workplaces, and 861 gaining employment. The “WorkReady Course” is an online tool that provides opportunities for school students in their senior years to work on a variety of tasks to learn about the transition from school to work, primarily around what employers want and preparing students for the workforce. TC’s programmes have supported Schools and SMEs in developing skills, creating career pathways, and increasing productivity throughout the region. The preparation of our young people to enter the world of work is an ongoing requirement. When this is connected to the upskilling of existing staff, new entry-level roles are created for school leavers. One of the organisations who has benefited from this initiative, Stringfellows, says: “The training supported us immensely. We upskilled staff members, including new employees, with wheels, tracks and rollers courses, as well as class 2 and 4 truck driver licenses. Because of this initiative, we have been able to take on 8 new staff.” To be sustainable, Talent Central will require further assistance from the Government. Talent Central's contribution to the local economy is significant and can be measured in the successful employment outcomes we have achieved for school leavers as well as the productivity of SMEs.