Eight Māori working in the civil infrastructure industry are a step closer to achieving their career goals, after they each received a $10,000 National Diploma Scholarship.

The Scholarships were awarded by the Industry Training Organisation InfraTrain New Zealand, as part of its Te Poutama Kaiahumahi programme. The programme is run in partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri, and aims to strengthen the skills and qualifications of Māori working in the civil infrastructure industry.

The Scholarship winners are employed by contracting companies, consultants and infrastructure operators nationwide. Under the Scholarship they will study for a National Diploma in Civil Engineering (Applied) or a National Diploma in Surveying.

InfraTrain has awarded 18 National Diploma Scholarships since it started working with Te Puni Kōkiri at the end of 2008. The latest eight winners were presented with their Scholarships by the Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, in Auckland in March 2011.

Speaking at the presentation, Dr Sharples said, “It really is wonderful to be back again to present another eight Scholarships and recognise the ongoing success of Te Poutama Kaiahumahi. The winners represent the aspirations we want to stimulate within the wider Māori workforce. That is: of a skilled, talented and highly qualified workforce realising its potential.”

Dr Sharples continued: “What is great about the Te Poutama Kaiahumahi programme is that the benefits flow two ways. On one hand, Māori staff improve their skills and gain qualifications which improves their job and promotion prospects. On the other hand, employers will gain higher productivity and efficiencies.”

InfraTrain Chief Executive Philip Aldridge added: "InfraTrain is proud of our ongoing partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri. We remain committed to providing training opportunities for Māori working in our industry, and we look forward to building on the success already achieved through the Te Poutama Kaiahumahi programme."

TE POUTAMA KAIAHUMAHI STAIRWAY TO INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT

InfraTrain’s Te Poutama Kaiahumahi programme is run in partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri. It aims to strengthen the skills and qualifications of Māori in the civil infrastructure industries, so they can participate fully in the career opportunities available.

The Te Poutama Kaiahumahi programme facilitates training by:

• Supporting new Māori trainees in the industry to gain industry skills and qualifications.
• Supporting Māori who presently work in the industry to gain higher level qualifications.
• Encouraging young Māori to enter the industry through the Gateway programme.
• Supporting community initiatives with industry skills and training.
• Offering Scholarships toward an Industry Diploma.