Learning on the job

Providing meaningful opportunities for young Taranaki Māori to spend time in a workplace environment and gain experience to help them in their career aspirations is driving a burgeoning cadetship and internship programme at PKW.

Cadetships consist of a one-year fixed-term paid position and internships are shorter term, typically being carried out over the long summer break in the education calendar.

“Internships are a great way of gaining experience in a chosen job or industry, or to find out more about a potential career path,” says Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “Sometimes getting a foot in the door can present a real obstacle for someone straight out of secondary or tertiary education and an internship can be a way of accessing opportunities.”

This year three new internships have been created with some of our strategic partners as part of the value-add propositions created by the PKW Procurement Strategy.

Internship roles exist at iStudios, a media and publishing company, for graphic design students and KPMG are offering an opportunity to gain experience in their accountancy business. PKW will also have an internship role with Marsh Insurance that is offered to the successful scholarship recipient and are planning for an internship with BNZ Bank.

“It is exciting to see the increase in opportunities our strategic approach is starting to generate,” says Mitchell, “An internship not only benefits the individual, but helps to increase the skills and capabilities within our whānau and iwi. The organisation providing the internship also benefits from a new perspective and ideas the intern can bring with them. It’s a win-win all round.”

“We intend to continue building relationships and strengthening partnerships with our suppliers so the number of opportunities for our rangatahi can grow.”

Cadetships provide a longer term insight into a role and the business in which it sits, and can really open an individual’s eyes to what can be achieved.

Above: Mel Williams

Mel Williams is a case in point. She was quietly working as a temporary financial assistant at PKW while raising her five children when the question of applying for a cadetship came up.

“I didn’t think I would stand a chance so initially I didn’t apply,” she said. “But then Jacqui King (PKW’s Head of Corporate Services) told me to go for it and I am so glad I did.”

Mel is now studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a major in Accounting, through Massey University. She is also completing the Mana Ora programme, which will lead to a NZ Certificate in Māori Business.

“PKW are being so supportive, granting me a scholarship towards my fees each year and giving me five hours a week study time, “ says Mel. “Joe Hanita (PKW’s Chief Financial Officer) is my mentor and he’s so great.”

“It’s given me more of a focus about what I want to achieve in life. Now I am working towards a career, not just turning up to do a job each day.”

“And it’s not just for me, its for my family and for the PKW shareholders too. I owe it to them to do well.”

There are two cadetships being run this year – one farm cadet on PKW managed farms for a one year term, and a two-year cadetship in finance support, based at the PKW Whare.

All cadetships are full-time paid employment and open to all Māori, although those who whakapapa to a PKW shareholder or who are uri of a Taranaki iwi will be given special consideration.

Advertising for the cadetships occur as they are available. Keep an eye out on our Facebook and website, or for more information contact Jacqui King on humanresources@pkw.co.nz