In 2002, Rotorua District Council, Waiariki Institute of Technology, Work and Income and the Teritary Education Commission jointly commissioned an Employment Skills Survey. Out of this survey, the 2003 Rotorua Employment Skills Strategy was developed. Like the rest of New Zealand, Rotorua needed to train our young people to help fill identified skill shortages.
For further information about the Employment Skills Strategy see
http://www.rotorua-business.com/Employment_Skills/employmentskills.asp.
One of the immediate responses to implementing the strategy was the creation of the Pathways Project in June 2003.
The Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs was set up in 2000 with an ambitious goal that all young people aged 15 to 25 would be in training, further education, employment or positive community activity by 2005. This linked well with the Pathways initiative, and a subsequent funding application to the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs secured a grant of $50,000 per year for three years to the Rotorua District Council.
For further information about the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs see http://www.mayorstaskforceforjobs.co.nz/.
Research shows that those who make a successful transition from school to edcuation, training and work have better life long outcomes.
Hospitality roadshows and worksite visits
These were designed to provide a 'hands on' experience for year 11-13 students, working side by side with industry professionals.
A substantial grant from the Hospitality Standards Institute allowed the initiative to be rolled out at all six Rotorua high schools in 2006.
Health elder care initiative
Designed initially for year 12/13 students, this initiative aims to provide young people with practical experience coupled with achievement of recognised industry unit standards.
District Health Board (DHB) initiative
This aims to provide practical experiences in health related fields for students looking to pursue a career in health. The initiative is linked to both the DHB and the Ministry of Health workforce development plans. The goal is to assist in building the skill base of young people and supporting them to access learning opportunities in the health industry.
Industry Training Graduation Ceremony
A joint initiative with Taupo District Council, this is designed to demonstrate local government's commitment to industry training and recognise the benefits produced for the community and local economy. Graduands are working people who have a training agreement with an Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and have achieved a level 3 or level 4 qualification in the NZQA framework. The 2007 Rotorua-Taupo graduation ceremony will be held in Rotorua on Saturday 12 May.
Te Arawa Farming Cadetship Programme
First implemented in 2005, this programme was designed to train and upskill Te Arawa young Maori to become future workers and managers of trust farms.
The role of Rotorua District Council was to work collaboratively with Te Arawa Federation of Maori Authorities Agricultural Development Group to develop a sustainable pathway for young people to pursue a career in agriculture.
Following a feasibility study, a self-funding 32 week cadetship programme was implemented with 12 cadets beginning in July 2005. The cadetship involves two days each week in the classroom at Waiariki Institute of Technology and three days practical work experience on one of the local trust farms. At the end of 32 weeks, the remaining six cadets obtained permanent employment on a trust farm together with the opportunity to do further study towards an apprenticeship-t
ype qualification.
The second course which commenced in July 2006 was over-subscribed.
Pathways into Tourism
Tourism is a significant part of the Rotorua economy. Concerns about ongoing skill shortages coupled with exciting employment opportunities for young people wanting to enter the industry, gave rise to this intiaitive. The project looked to:
- Improve commitment from those entering the industry.
- Improve training opportunities and employment activities for young people.
- Improve curriculum alignment between local employers and schools.
The project model utilised the downturn in business over the winter period to provide hands on work experience together with opportunities for some paid employment over the busy summer season. 
The outcomes sought were:
- Return to school to gain further NCEA credits; OR
- Commence tertiary study towards an industry related qualification and continue to work on a part-time/casual basis to supplement income; OR
- Be offered a permanent position and a course of study linked to an industry recognised qualification.
Successes included:
- Temporary part-time employment at the Museum which turned into a permanent full-time position and promotion.
- Ongoing casual/part-time employment whilst completing tertiary study at polytechnic.
- Permanent employment combined with ongoing study towards a recognised industry training qualification.