A new cadetship programme will literally be putting Māori into power by the end of the year.

With a global shift towards wind, thermal and geothermal power generation set to create a shortage of skilled workers, Te Puni Kōkiri and the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation (ESITO) launched 50 new Māori cadetships in May.

“Skilled telecommunications, infrastructure and energy workers are in demand across the country and this initiative will see Māori gain formal qualifications in an exciting growth industry,” said Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive, Leith Comer.

At the launch ceremony in Wellington, Māori Affairs Minister Hon Dr Pita Sharples said the cadetships were an innovative example of how private, public and education sectors can work together to grow New Zealand’s own talent pool of skilled workers.

ESITO chair John McInteer said the scheme puts Māori at the heart of a significant infrastructure industry, pursuing national qualifications for a range of trade and technician careers.

"These 50 people are a critical step to ensuring our industry will be able to attract and retain enough people to meet future workforce needs.”

Te Puni Kōkiri’s initiative, ‘Enabling Māori Success through Cadetships” is in its third year, developed in response to the Prime Minister’s Job Summit in 2009. The programme complements Te Puni Kōkiri wider efforts to boost the number of Māori gaining relevant and higher level qualifications and opportunities in growth industries.

Leith also says cadetships offer a relatively inexpensive option for employers to recruit and develop capability. Furthermore, Māori cadets gain confidence, employment experience, general and job-specific skills, formal qualifications, industry networks and employment. Cadets will receive personalised mentoring and support throughout their training.

The cadetships target both new recruits as well as current employees. Fifty cadets will be working and training fulltime throughout New Zealand by the end of October 2012.