The 'Jobs in Central Hawke's Bay' scheme has been successful in finding local jobs for local people, Mayor Alex Walker told Rural News.
The scheme is an offshoot of the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) rural community resilience programme, a national project funded by the Government.
Walker says MTFJ was launched off the back of a difficult time for the district, following a period of drought for farmers with productivity falling and Covid-19.
Ministry of Social Development (MSD) statistics show that between June and July 2020 the number of people receiving Work and Income support in Central Hawke's Bay increased, with it peaking at 919, an increase of over 40 in just one month.
"Since then, we have had nearly a thousand unique jobseekers approach us for support in finding employmnt - almost half of these were young people between 16 and 24-years-old, and we secured employment for just over 400 people," says Walker.
"It has provided support to over 857 local businesses to grow by connecting them to jobseekers, networking events, regular economic updates, training and workshops. As a result, this has been key to Central Hawke's Bay consistently having one of the lowest unemployment rates in New Zealand.
Walker says it's their "by local, for local" approach that has built a strong team and created a trusted channel for job seekers and employers.
"Our MTFJ team know our community, know our people and our businesses, and know where and how to find support through out existing partners including MSD, local service providers and businesses.
"The team breaks down barriers between employers and job seekers. It has achieved transformational change for our district both socially and economically and has had a strong influence on creating a growing positive 'culture of work' in our community."
Jobs in central Hawke's Bay extends beyond simply finding local jobs for local people. It removes hurdles for people looking for employment by providing support, encouragement, and ongoing training.
The programme offers driver licensing support through CONNECT Driver Licensing, support with CVs, training opportunities, life coaching and counselling and personalised pathway plans.
Walker says they also support people once they are placed into their work to ensure they have rewarding careers.
"We have also taken an approach which continues to provide practical supprt once people are in work and training - keeping them engaged, growing and more likely to be successful.
"For example, a weekly workshop for apprentices to get their paperwork done, learn from each other and create a positive social and professional network."
Walker believes the programme has potential to grow in farming communities.
She says rural communities are all too familiar with government agences who are either absent, or part-time run from another area.
"The MTFJ approach empowers a 'by local for locals' method for building a future for our young people in our small communities and has a huge future.
"From the beginning this project has been community-led and relevant to the needs of local people and rural businesses at its heart.
"Jobs in Central Hawke's Bay has established itself as a local conduit for employment and support and continues to build rapport and a strong reputation within the community. We have been able to work collaboratively with local skills and training providers to ensure ongoing positive results for our community."
Wellbeing Focus
Mental health and wellbeing support for young people in rural areas is part of the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) scheme.
Clearhead, a wellbeing provider founded in 2018, is helping improve access care and wellbeing support.
Co-founder Angela Lim says NZ mental health statistics reveal that rural communities have high rates of stress and other forms of mental illness.
However, rural dwellers often have fewer locally available mental health services, especially for young people and Māori. Services, if they are available, can be sporadic, as they are frequently troubled by workforce shortages.
She believes technology can make mental health care and information more easily accessible by providing access to professionals across the country delivering online therapy, reducing cost, and providing anonymity that encourages people to seek help earlier and therefore address the key barrier to care in rural areas.
Lim told Rural News that average wait time on Clearhead's platform is two to three days compared to six months on the public mental health system via GP referrals.
When interviewing young people, there were multiple factors that prevented them from successfully entering the workforce or remaining in employment once they got a job.
However, they don't get easy access to support to address these mental health related issues, says Lim.
A few of the common themes include lack of self-confidence and self-limiting beliefs, anxiety, search for purpose and identity, lack of motivation and poor conflict resolution skills.
