Introducing Nicole Parris As Employment Navigator For Westland's Mayors Taskforce For Jobs
Westland District Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Parris as the new Employment Navigator for the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme.
'The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs movement takes a locally-led approach to tackling youth unemployment. Our mayors see the huge benefit to their communities when young people are supported to do well,' MTFJ Chair Mayor Alex Walker said.
'We are currently working through the details of our new contract for the 2026 financial year which will have a stronger focus on supporting central government's targets and reduce youth unemployment,' Alex Walker said.
'This next phase of the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs builds on the great work already delivered in Westland,' says Mayor Helen Lash. 'We're delighted to welcome Nicole to the team as we continue to deliver real results for our young people and local employers.'
Nicole brings energy and a strong commitment to helping young people into sustainable employment, working closely with local businesses, community organisations, and government agencies to create meaningful pathways into work.
'I'm excited to be part of a programme that changes lives,' says Nicole. 'We're focused on giving young people the tools, opportunities, and support they need—not just to get a job, but to stay in work and build their future.'
For more information about the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs in Westland, or to find out how you or your business can get involved, contact Nicole Parris at mtfj@westlanddc.govt.nz or 027 323 4037.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Leading Economist Delivers Positive Outlook For Hurunui
Press Release – Hurunui District Council Key insights presented at the meeting for the year to March 2024 showed agriculture, forestry and fishing made up over 30% of local jobsmore than six times the national average. With NZs strong reliance on primary industries as key contributors to … New data shows Hurunui's employment landscape remains firmly grounded in its rural roots. Infometrics economist and CEO Brad Olsen visited Hurunui District last week, speaking at a public meeting in the Omihi Hall on Tuesday and visiting Hurunui businesses on Wednesday. Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black said the visit, which was organised by the Hurunui Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme, aimed to offer valuable insights into the district's economic landscape, along with national and global trends, and to highlight innovation within Hurunui businesses in adapting to an evolving business environment. 'The public meeting represented a broad cross-section of our community, from accountants to wineries, the farming sector and cottage businesses.' Key insights presented at the meeting for the year to March 2024 showed agriculture, forestry and fishing made up over 30% of local jobs—more than six times the national average. Tourism also played a strong supporting role, with accommodation and food services employing a larger share in Hurunui, at just under 10%, than the national average at around 6.5%. With New Zealand's strong reliance on primary industries as key contributors to GDP, Hurunui is well positioned for growth. 'It was really positive to hear that in terms of jobs activity, Hurunui is currently ranking as the 7th fastest growing district for employment across New Zealand,' Mayor Black said. Over the last quarter to the year March 2024, filled jobs increased by 0.5%, with a continued positive increase over the last decade. From about 4,750 filled positions in 2013, the number has steadily climbed to over 6,100 jobs by 2025, a growth of nearly 30%. Olsen noted youth employment continues to be under-represented, both locally and nationally, representing a tougher climate for young New Zealanders. Hurunui MTFJ Employment Coordinator Chris Sutherland said: 'It was encouraging to hear Brad advocate for businesses to embrace the fresh perspectives that our young people can offer to an organisation, while also promoting the advantages of succession planning in light of our aging population demographic.' Hurunui MTFJ has successfully placed 55 young people into jobs, exceeding its target of 20 placements. 'Hurunui MTFJ has been truly effective in supporting our young people, creating opportunities through our strong community networks,' Mayor Black said. On Wednesday, Mayor Black and the Hurunui MTFJ team took Olsen on a visit to some of those businesses backing Hurunui youth, including Proseed and Arthur Burke, as well as to Heartland Homes with Vicki Foster, chair of Amberley NZ, offering a local business perspective, a visit to residents at Amberley Country Estate, and to Amberley Trader as a newly established business in the town. 'Brad commented that he learnt so much by being on the ground and speaking with our community, which adds value to his national and global perspective,' Mayor Black said.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Scoop
Job Funding Cuts Hit Isolated Communities
Isolated North Canterbury communities look set to be the big losers in the Government's bid to get young people off the benefit. The Kaikōura and Hurunui Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programmes are likely to face cuts due to a change in funding criteria. While the new contract has yet to be signed, the Kaikōura MTFJ programme has been advised its funding will be cut from $260,000 for 30 placements to $100,000 for 12 placements from July 1. ''They have seen it work, but they kept twisting the scrum. Once they brought the larger areas in it was inevitable this would happen,'' Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said. ''The whole idea of the programme was to help the rural areas. ''I haven't given up hope, but I've definitely lost the excitement.'' He said the success of the programme is stopping young people from going on a benefit. The programme has supported young people with driver licensing, career advice and guidance, interview skills, preparing CVs, work experience and transport, and access to mental health services. With no driver testing available in Kaikōura, the MTFJ programme has spent $22,000 this year supporting young people travel to tests in Blenheim and Rangiora - a three to four hour return trip. The programme is on track to exceed 30 sustainable placements. In contrast to its northern neighbours, the Waimakariri MTFJ programme is set to receive a funding boost. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is basing its funding for the next 12 months, from July 1, on the number of 18 to 24 year olds on a jobseekers' benefit. Previously the programme has focused on supporting school leavers transition into work. The change is in line with the Government's push to get young people off the benefit. The funding cuts come at a time of high youth unemployment, with the latest Stats NZ data showing around 23 percent of 16 to 24 year olds are not in employment, education or training, compared to the overall 5.1% unemployment rate. MSD industry partnerships director Amanda Nicolle said MTFJ is one of a number of MSD funded programmes aimed at getting youth into employment, education or training in smaller regions. ''We provide a range of assistance aimed at getting young people into work because we understand that having sustainable employment can improve people's lives and give them independence.'' The Hurunui District Council was one of the councils which founded the MTFJ programme in 2000. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the programme's original intent was to support rural communities, where young people have less access to services and training and education opportunities. ''Hurunui MTFJ will continue to support our young people through this programme despite the reduction of contractual capacity for the incoming year. ''The programme is effective in supporting young people, with tailored and inspired support to bridge the gap and avoid a reliance on benefit support.'' The Hurunui MTFJ programme has already exceeded its target of 20 placements, placing 53 young people in jobs. There is no MSD office in the Hurunui district, while the MTFJ programme has worked to bring driver testing into the district to help overcome the isolation. Local Democracy Reporting understands Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon plans to discuss the matter with his colleagues at the Canterbury Mayoral Forum on Friday. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
17-05-2025
- Scoop
Jobs Taskforce Breaks Down Barriers
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Waimakariri Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs programme has exceeded its job placement target, in spite of the challenging job market. In a challenging job market, a local youth employment scheme is helping to break down the barriers for young people. Waimakariri Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) co-ordinator Lyn Blair said the scheme is enjoying some success in placing young people jobs, despite the competitive labour market. ''There are a lot more young people contacting me looking for support. ''They have experienced multiple rejections from applications and are competing with increased numbers of applicants for every job. ''While there are jobs out there, there is more competition in the labour market, so we need to make sure that our MTFJ clients are 'work ready' and can stand out in the interview process.'' She said the MTFJ programme arranged for a young person participate in a work visit with a local business last year, which eventually led to a job. ''While there were no employment opportunities available at the time, they gained valuable skills and were encouraged to volunteer locally in a similar field. ''This experience not only helped them develop additional skills but also provided them with a strong referee.'' Ms Blair said the MTFJ programme not only organised the initial work visit, but also supported the young person in obtaining the restricted drivers' licence. The Waimakariri MTJF scheme is funded for a target of 25 sustainable job placements (in a full-time job for more than 91 days) and has already exceeded the target. Young people have been placed in retail, hospitality, labouring, construction, contracting and driving jobs, as well as trades and apprenticeships. ''We currently have over 60 young people on our books,'' Ms Blair said. ''There has been a steady increase in numbers, both because of the labour market and because there is increased general awareness of the programme in our district.'' Youth unemployment is much higher than the overall unemployment rate, with 13.6 percent of young people nationally not in employment, education or training, compared to the unemployment rate of 5.1%. In Waimakariri, 10.4% of young people are registered as not in employment, education or training, while the overall unemployment rate is 3.5%. Ms Blair said the MTFJ programme helped young people to prepare for the workforce, provided pastoral support and helped with some of the costs of employment. Support included helping to write CVs, cover letters, job searching, and assisting with gaining drivers' licences, and other licences such as forklift and Class 2 truck licences. Careers advice, work experience, volunteering experience, personal development, employer introductions and short courses were also available. Funding was available to assist with the costs of work gear or tools which may be required. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
