Auckland educators are being brought to Oamaru to implement a specialized six-week training programme known as Project Fetu.
Mataāaga Hana Fanene-Taiti, CEO of the Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT), highlighted how this pilot programme differs from conventional training options that are often impractical due to factors such as cost, distance, or time constraints.
“Project Fetu aims to offer innovative, community-centered learning solutions that cater to the needs of individuals, not only within the Pacific community but also in rural areas,” she explained.
“This initiative enables us to provide alternative approaches to upskilling members of our community, particularly from a rural perspective.
“Given the absence of tertiary education providers in our region, this initiative underscores the demand and necessity from rural areas, as well as a fresh approach to education that could benefit a broader audience.”
The pilot programme currently involves 10 participants from industry partners such as Godfrey Hirst, a carpet manufacturer, and Alliance, a meat processing company. Evening training sessions are held from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.
“Our goal is to establish this as a successful ‘proof of concept’ in order to secure funding for a similar programme next year,” Fanene-Taiti noted.
“We anticipate that its success will pave the way for additional development opportunities nationwide.”
She emphasized how changes in industries can have significant ramifications in towns like Oamaru, where the economy heavily relies on a small number of employers.
“For some individuals, this micro-credential could open doors to new opportunities in construction or manufacturing.
“For others, it could serve as a stepping stone towards supervisory or managerial roles, positions that Pacific workers have historically struggled to attain.”
The training programme is being conducted at OPIT’s Learning Hub.
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