We share the vision of the wider system – one where vocational education adapts and responds to ākonga and industry needs, with a key focus on Māori. 

Muka Tangata, the workforce development council for the food and fibre sector, says the Government’s new Māori Employment Action Plan complements the work it has started to advise government on the vocational education needs of the industries it represents.

“Muka Tangata’s role includes working with industries to develop workforce development plans and then advise government on the vocational education and training needs that will enable those plans,” Chief Executive Jeremy Baker said.

“Along the way we will be working with providers, including Te Pūkenga, Wānanga, and Private Training Establishments, so that we are able to provide programmes to support those plans.

“We’re a new organisation, less than six months old, but there are a number of actions in Te Mahere Whai Mahi Māori, that absolutely align with the work we have already started.

“The industries within the food and fibre sector have so much strategic importance to Māori and we are committed to finding ways in which Māori can flourish at all levels in those industries.

“The Government’s new action plan includes initiatives that we will be able to usefully contribute to, and others that we will be able to learn from to support our wider work programme,” Jeremy said.

Read Te Mahere Whai Mahi Māori here – Te Mahere Whai Mahi Māori – Māori Employment Action Plan (English) (mbie.govt.nz)