The needs of our workforces are changing dramatically
With COVID-19 restrictions impacting migration, our trades sector is facing an aging workforce and an ever-growing skills shortage. Climate change and the shift to sustainable energy is also proving a challenge for businesses in the Eastern Bay, and around the world.
To ensure the Eastern Bay’s future stays bright, we need to build a more equitable and thriving society for our tamariki and rangatahi.
Breaking the poverty cycle
Trust Horizon is supporting work-ready rangatahi by providing grants that help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. These include the Warmer Kiwi Homes initiative and the 20 Degrees project – which are improving the energy wellbeing of the region, and creating warmer and drier homes.
Creating career pathways with apprenticeships
We seek to provide our region’s young people with equitable and continued access to educational opportunities. The Trust has funded local apprenticeships for over 15 years – investing more than $300,000 to help young people get a head start on their careers. We also invest in our regional centres, stimulating further growth and employment.
The Trust’s current funding for eligible candidates includes:
Brian Ponting Work Ready Award: pre-trade energy related training courses.
Energy Apprentice-Assist: energy industry apprentices training fees for those who are not receiving fees free support from the government, their employer or another funder. Payments are made direct to the training organisation.
Providing access to educational opportunities
Trust Horizon’s scholarship programme was created in response to the serious shortage of young people in the electricity supply industry. For over two decades, these scholarships have been helping build a new generation of qualified electrical workers.
In partnership with Aruhiko - Power Engineering Excellence Trust (PEET), Trust Horizon is offering up to $10,000 in scholarships each year. To be eligible students will be studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at either the University of Canterbury or Auckland and they (or their guardians) will be permanent residents of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Each year applications open in late June and close early August.
Click here to find out if you’re eligible and apply for a scholarship.
“The Brian Ponting Award was a huge boost for me, and took a big weight off my whānau’s shoulders. The scholarship was the only way I could complete the pre-apprenticeship course required to start my apprenticeship.”
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Explore the Trust’s other strategic outcomes
Community Pride | Sustainable Energy | Employed Locals | Community Leadership
