Piki Ake is a 12-month cadetship programme we deliver in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development.
The programme will see a minimum of four unemployed young people develop in an entry level role at Council, gaining valuable skills and experience that will help shape positive life and career choices.
The aim of the programme is to reduce local youth unemployment; providing a pathway for cadets to build a brighter future for themselves. Piki Ake means ‘to ascend’, and through the programme we hope to help cadets do just that and rise to their potential.
Recruitment is undertaken via MSD as our partner, so young people interested in this opportunity should speak to their case manager in the first instance.
Read the Piki Ake booklet to learn more.
Piki Ake booklet (2mb pdf)
How it works
Cadets join us on a fixed term basis in roles across Council.
During their 12 months with us, cadets will receive wrap-around support with training in both work and life skills.
At completion of the programme, cadets will be equipped with more skills, experience and confidence to gain sustainable long-term employment when they leave TCC.
“I believed that the corporate ladder would never have a place for my ‘inexperience’. I have learnt that my role as a mother, partner, daughter, and niece has given me many skills that I will be able to use in a job. I am grateful to be chosen for this programme, it has given me the confidence, skills and support I needed to create a better life for myself and my whanau.”
What we hope to achieve
The benefits for our region are wide-ranging, including:
- Improving employment opportunities for local young people, currently three of our Piki Ake graduates are employed with Tauranga City Council in our Contact Centre and Libraries teams
- Improving career opportunities for vulnerable young people with limited education and work experience, supporting them to be competitive in the open job market
- Promoting community knowledge of local government, and the range of job possibilities
- Cadets are able to work locally for at least 12 months and remain in the region.
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