Pathways Leadership Hui

The second West Coast Pathways Leadership Hui, held on Tuesday 28 November in Greymouth, proved to be a resounding success as it brought together over 60 industry leaders and school leadership to explore ways to strengthen connections and empower ākonga in their journey to discover, explore, and connect with the world of work.

With a focus on addressing pressing regional challenges like attendance, retention, and engagement, participants engaged in meaningful discussions to identify strategies for preparing ākonga for life after school. The event provided a platform for open dialogue, allowing attendees to discuss and pinpoint opportunities for working together in the education and career preparation landscape.

Greymouth High School Gateway Co-ordinator and Career Counsellor Shoshy Perchig-Gibli said, “Witnessing collaboration between educators and industry was inspiring.  The event featured a diverse range of presentations, addressing key topics relevant to the West Coast region.

A noteworthy highlight of the Hui was the informative presentation by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), shedding light on the refreshed National Careers System Strategy. The strategy aims to align the careers system with the evolving needs of people, communities, and industry, ensuring better preparation for the challenges of the future.”

As the event concluded, participants expressed enthusiasm about the insights gained, emphasising the importance of ongoing collaboration between industry and education to create a seamless transition for ākonga into further study and work.

“Working with schools gives us an opportunity to introduce our young people to new career pathway possibilities," says Dan Mahony, Westland Mineral Sands NZ Group General Manager People, Safety, and Community.

“We want to empower students to develop skills and attributes highly valued by employers. This not only makes them more employable but helps to support a pipeline of talent for our industry.”

"This event provided an excellent platform for industry leaders and schools to connect,” he says.

Event organiser Jade Mahuika from DWC said, “The event provided an excellent opportunity for key regional stakeholders to come together and create a stronger, more connected educational landscape for the benefit of our rangatahi and our West Coast community.”

The Pathways Leadership Hui was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Development West Coast (DWC), Ministry of Education (MoE), Careers and Transition Education Association (CATE), and Te Tai o Poutini West Coast Regional Skills Leadership Group (RLSG). These organisations served as proud partners, contributing their expertise and support to foster an environment of innovation and collaboration.