Preparing for a bright blue horizon
Preparing Nelson’s workforce for careers in the blue economy is the aim of a new pre-employment programme, Blue Horizon.
The programme will be delivered by health, safety and wellbeing training specialists, Guard Safety, with the support of industry partners including Aquaculture NZ and Moananui and funded by the Ministry of Social Development.
The term ‘blue economy’ refers to the sustainable use of ocean, sea and coastal resources for economic growth and jobs. The four-week Blue Horizon programme will have an initial intake of 10 job seeker participants and begin in June at Guard Safety’s Port Nelson base. Trainees will experience a mix of life-skills training, industry exposure and hands-on learning.
“Participants will develop confidence, gain essential health and safety knowledge and skills, licences, and qualifications, and become safe and work-ready to meet industry requirements,” says Guard Safety Business Manager, Shalaine Jackson.
Guard Safety will work closely with local industry partners to deliver training, with site visits, demonstrations and onsite information sessions. A free employer workshop on attracting and retaining workers is also part of the offering.
“The sector needs a pool of competent, work-ready individuals available for the blue economy now and into the future,” Shalaine said.
MSD Regional Commissioner, Craig Churchill, said the Ministry would do whatever it could to partner with industry and ensure local labour supply met industry needs.
“Getting Nelson Tasman working is our aim,” he said. “We have to make sure our local job seekers are best prepared to compete for great careers in the blue economy, supporting our communities and the local economy.”
Sarah Cooper, Cluster Manager for Moananui, a network connecting blue economy industry, research and innovation partners, urged local businesses to support the programme.
“At Moananui, we’d love to see organisations from across the blue economy get behind this pilot, with the hope it can become a strong blueprint for future programmes and pathways into our sector.
“There are a range of ways organisations can get involved, from site visits and speaking opportunities through to employment pathways and participation in employer workshops. We’d love to see organisations involved where possible.”
Nelson Regional Development Agency Chief Executive, Fiona Wilson, said the initiative builds on the keen uptake by young people of industry experience days over the past few years through programmes designed to inspire them to work in key local industries.
“The blue economy is a regional priority sector with huge opportunity for growth in Nelson Tasman,” she said. “This is a great initiative by MSD and industry to support that key sector and one we would love to see more of in the future.”