Kaea has joined Tātaki Auckland Unlimited as Youth Employment Coordinator.
Tell us about your role at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited?
I work in the Skills and Workforce team as a Youth Coordinator. We work with employers to help increase and better the employment of young people in Tāmaki Makaurau. We provide programmes such as the Youth Employment Pledge, which unites organisations that are committed to helping rangatahi thrive in the workplace. My role includes supporting Sarah Freer, Skills Programme Specialist, with our youth employment programme of work, including Youth Employer Pledge events, content and engagement.
As a school leaver just starting out, what skills and knowledge do you bring to the job?
I feel I provide a fresh view on youth employment as a whole. As a young person myself, I understand what it’s like to be in a school environment and to face the struggles of perhaps not knowing what work you are going to get into, or even want to get into. It’s important for employers to know how young people think to determine how they can best support them and help them succeed in their first roles. I bring knowledge from my unique experiences through school, sport and whānau, and I look to apply that knowledge to help wherever I can.
What has your experience been so far working as a young person in a large organisation?
My experience so far has been great! I’ve got a great team that provides me with everything I need to be successful in my role, as well as support me through the struggles I may face. It can be overwhelming at times for a young person to work in a space with people that have far more experience than them, however, such space can also be a great environment for a young person to thrive in and share their fresh, new ideas and outlook in the workplace.
Why are young people important to Auckland’s future?
Young people and children are the future of Auckland. They will be our workforce in the coming years and will do incredible things. They’re important because they will be the ones to face future workforce successes, failures and learnings, so ensuring they are looked after well and taught different things now is crucial.
What do you think is the biggest barrier for young people to getting a job?
I believe one of the barriers is the quality of support that young people are (or are not) getting. With the right support from whoever that may be, a young person can do anything. However, the lack of support or negative commentary towards their initiatives can prevent a young person from even trying. I think it is important that we find a way for all young people to know that it is possible to get a job and to continue to uprank and upskill yourself once there.
What do you think young people bring to the workplace?
I think they bring a set of skills and experiences that you can't find anywhere else. They bring a fresh outlook and ideas that perhaps someone who does have more professional experience might not have even thought about. The world is changing and young people are at the heart of it - we come up with new initiatives and we are raised in an era of technology, online learning, and COVID-19, which has made us more resilient and adaptable.
What do you look for in a job and/or an employer?
I look for an employer to be supportive and a workplace that understands young people and how they function. Young people like to feel challenged but not left alone. A workplace that shows support and encourages young people to be confident in what they believe in is so important. It’s crucial for employers to understand they aren’t just hiring a worker, but a person too.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My passion is sports and, more specifically, football. Throughout high school I was lucky enough to play football and basketball at the highest level, competing with my teammates in multiple tournaments and leagues. I hope to play football at the highest level possible in the future. My family is huge to me and they’ve been unbelievable in the way they’ve supported me through sports and work. Spending time with them is definitely something I enjoy doing too.