What started as a small initiative to help young people and COVID-displaced workers into local employment has grown into an important and necessary programme in the Waitomo District.

The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) is a nationwide network of New Zealand’s Mayors, working together towards the vision of all young people 16-24 engaged in employment, education, training, or other positive activity in their communities.

The programme is a partnership between MTFJ, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and councils throughout New Zealand, with Waitomo District Council working closely with Number Twelve Youth Hub to deliver the programme locally.

The support that is provided varies for everyone, and is catered to the needs of the individual, whaanau or workplace.

• Support for young people can include:
• Creating a CV and Employment Profile
• Developing Employability Skills
• Support with Job Applications
• Understanding Employment Agreements
• Interview Preparation
• Free Driver Licensing
• Support with Short Courses and Training
• Free Budgeting Courses
• Ongoing In-work Support

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Support for employers can include:

• Ongoing Support
• Material Assistance
• Ongoing Training
• Financial Support

The MTFJ programme has been extremely successful in the Waitomo District with many young people supported and placed into employment.

A message from Mayor John Robertson:

“To those of you in our community who have used the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs to advance your careers, I wish you well.  The programme has been an outstanding success over the past few years, thanks to the decisions of many rangatahi and local businesses to engage, and thanks to those who have assisted to bring the two together.

Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs is a partnership of many – Central Government as the funder, Council as the owner, the Mayor as the facilitator, Number Twelve as the lead service provider, and young people and employers as the participants.

Life is a journey of many challenges.  While we all experience lows and highs as we negotiate through life, securing a first job is a real high.  When this job helps us to begin a career, enter a trade, or event start a business, it is even more satisfying.”