Jay + Steph had the opportunity to be a part of the conversation and host the Ōtepoti Hub for the 2022 conference, this was a fantastic event for those invested in positive employment outcomes for rangatahi in Aotearoa to come together and hear from an awesome lineup of keynote speakers:
Dr Eruera Tarena, Kaihautū – Executive Director, Tokona te Raki: Māori Futures Collective
Patrick McKibbin, Chief Executive, Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce
Shirley Johnson, Director – Youth Employability, Te Hononga Akoranga COMET
Kauri Tearaura, Project Manager – Reo Rangatahi, Youth Employability Aotearoa
We had the chance to brainstorm with other providers working in the youth employability space in digital break-out rooms where we could ask questions and discuss the keynote speakers' ideas further.
Of particular interest was Dr Eruera Tarena's presentation - SHOWING UP
Nau Mai Te Ānamata: Tomorrow’s Skills – Re-imagining skills and mindsets for rangatahi in the future of work.
Dr Eruera discussed the necessary employment mindset shift from the current 'qualifications/credentials equal your future job' to a 'skills equal your career' mindset. Adapting to the idea that we are all lifelong learners constantly gaining skills and that this should be reflected in the opportunities that are available to us on our employment journey.
This shift in mindset could also be the catalyst for addressing the sustained inequality in employment that exists for our Māori & Pasifika whānau in Aotearoa.
"In a constantly changing job market, transferable skills are crucial for a flexible career that can evolve with the jobs market, and the importance of flexible skills will continue to grow for the jobs of the future"
If you are interested in reading the NAU MAI
TE ĀNAMATA - TOMORROW’S SKILLS report by Tokona Te Raki (which I highly recommend) you can access it via the YEA website here
Or if you are a youth employability service provider and you want to learn more about YEA visit their website here and become a part of the collective.