Youth Employment Pathways
He Poutama Rangatahi
Trade focused employment placement and support for youth
This free programme provides careers counselling, pre-employment training, support with finding mahi (work), on-job training, and in-work support across
The Trades and Associated Industries for youth aged 15-24, in Te Tai Tokerau Northland, who are currently working alongside MSD.
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Mō Te Kaupapa
About The Project
The He Poutama Rangatahi programme is designed to support young rangatahi in a tailored way that meets their specific requirements. Recognising a pathway to employment that suits their individual needs.
This programme supports our rangatahi with a full wrap-around service, over a period of up to a year where necessary. Our team is here with you through all the highs, lows, successes, and trials during your time on the programme.
Alongside, providing practical support with aspects such as licensing, PPE and pre-employment safety training.
We offer advice and support with regard to education and training and help with enrolment and formalities. We provide mentorship throughout any training undertaken and work to secure industry connections to be used for work experience and employment transitions.
The programme is embedded with wellbeing supports delivered by a qualified Counsellor and Career Consultants.
Our staff mentor their rangatahi through their training, placement and beyond, as we know that finding your direction and pathway as a young person is not a straight path. Our programmes services are flexible, and we are able to be responsive to the individual needs of each rangatahi and their journey into the working world.
To Tatou Ratonga
He Poutama Rangitahi Services
Nā wai hei āwhina
Who we can help
Me pēhea te āwhina
How we can help
He aha tatou i whiriwhiri ai?
Why choose us
Tutaki Ki Te Kapa
Meet The Team
TRACEY LUNN
DIRECTOR
FIONA ROBINSON
PROGRAMME MANAGER
TANE CLARKE
LEAD COORDINATOR
MARSH WILLIAMS
TRAINING MANAGER
SHARON GIBSON
WELLBEING COACH
(INDEPENDANT CONTRACTOR)
ALICE PARKER
EMPLOYMENT COACH
News & updates - Scholarship Announcements!
FMG & Women in Collision Repair Rural Apprentice Support Scholarships
We’re excited to announce the FMG & Women in Collision Repair Rural Apprentice Support Scholarships, created to support wāhine undertaking a collision repair or automotive refinishing apprenticeship in a rural or regional community.
These scholarships are about more than financial support. They’re about helping remove some of the barriers that can make completing an apprenticeship harder, and backing the next generation of women building careers in our industry.
Five scholarships of $1,000 are available, providing support towards rural fuel costs and flexible apprenticeship needs.
If you’re a wāhine apprentice working towards a future in collision repair or refinishing, this could be for you.
Keep your eyes peeled for the scholarship fact sheet, which will be uploaded on 1 October, with applications opening the same day.
Applications will be open from 1 October to 31 October 2026, and we’ll be eagerly awaiting your applications.
Watch this space, get ready, and start thinking about how this support could help you take your apprenticeship to the next level!
News & updates - The Future of Collision Repair event– What a Day!
From inspiring the next generation to giving apprentices a voice, the Future of Collision Repair event brought our industry together in Hamilton.
The Future of Collision Repair Discovery Day brought close to 50 young wāhine into the industry for a hands-on look at what a career in collision repair can really look like. Starting at Prestige Collision Repair, students got behind the scenes, explored the workshop and learned more about the people, skills and opportunities that make up our industry, before heading to Auto Body Equipment for an afternoon of hands-on activities and technology.
That evening, the conversation continued at the Future of Collision Repair themed CRA Roadshow, bringing apprentices, employers and industry partners together for an evening focused on connection, learning and the future of our trade.
A key part of the evening was giving apprentices the opportunity to have their voices heard. We asked them what they wished employers understood, what mattered most to them as apprentices, and what we could do better to support them. Their responses were honest, thoughtful and incredibly valuable, with some clear themes emerging around time, support and opportunity.
The message was simple: apprentices want to learn, improve and build their skills. They just need the time, support and opportunities to do it.
It was a fantastic day and evening, and a great reminder of what can happen when industry comes together to connect, inspire and empower the next generation of collision repair professionals.
A Huge Thank You
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the Future of Collision Repair Discovery Day and themed CRA Roadshow such a success.
Events like this take a real team effort, and we are incredibly grateful to the organisations, sponsors and people who gave their time, resources and support to help us connect, inspire and empower the next generation of collision repair professionals.
Our Collaborators
- Collision Repair Association (CRA), CNI Regional Branch
- Auto Body Equipment (ABE)
- Prestige Collision Repairs
- WICR Role Models – Emma Simpson, Victoria Hine and Jodie Fox
With Thanks to Our Sponsors
- Sherwin-Williams
- AMI
- Star Insure
- MITO
- FMG
- Resene
- Audi
- Surventis
- European Motor Distributors
- 3M
Official Technology Partner: Partly
Apprentice Voice – What They Told Us
We asked apprentices three simple questions, and their answers gave us some powerful insight into what matters when learning the trade.
At the Future of Collision Repair CRA Roadshow, apprentices were invited to share what they wished employers understood, what mattered most to them, and how the industry could better support them. Their anonymous responses highlighted three clear themes: time, support and opportunity.
Here’s what they told us…
Testimonials / Whakaaturanga
What our stakeholders have to say
If you are interested in this service for yourself or someone you know, get in touch today!
Kei te pirangi koe ki te mahi tahi?
Would you like to Collaborate?
We would love to get involved with any relevant mahi (work) that helps us to help others, so if you would like to collaborate Smart Trade Solutions LTD, we would like to hear from you...
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