Small community driving big change

?Driving massive social change in a small rural community is a challenge accepted and won by Jobs in Central Hawkes Bay.

Nominated for an Excellence Award for Economic Wellbeing, the team credit their success to their innovative approach to reducing unemployment and boosting business in their district.

As recognition for this, the initiative between Mayors Taskforce For Jobs (MTFJ) and Central Hawke’s Bay District Council’s has been named as a finalist for the 2022 Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Excellence Awards.?

Jobs in Central Hawke’s Bay is up against three others, including another Central Hawke’s Bay District Council programme (Broader Outcomes in Action), in the MartinJenkins EXCELLENCE Award for Economic Wellbeing.?

Jobs in Central Hawke’s Bay, through the MTFJ and Ministry of Social Development Community Recovery Programme, has been working?with jobseekers, government partners, community and businesses to help young people into work.?

The project has significantly exceeded its annual targets for employment outcomes, as well as those of peer Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programmes, engaging with more than 684 local job seekers, and supporting 307 of them into employment.?

The project has also empowered and supported more than 731 local businesses and community organisations, and has been instrumental in contributing towards reducing the unemployment rate to the lowest in the region.?? ?

The judging panel was impressed by Jobs in Central Hawke’s Bay, saying?“it’s about lifting a whole group of people who are really deprived and struggling to contribute positively to the community. It is going to take ownership of youth having a future in our communities, otherwise they will be the unemployed of tomorrow.”?

Jobs in Central Hawke’s Bay coordinator Jono Craig says the announcement reinforces to the team that they’re helping the whole community.?

“It’s a team approach and a reflection of the great work going on across our team and within Council.?

“It’s a validation of the value of the work being done locally...our people working for community results.”?

LGNZ President Stuart Crosby says all the finalists exemplify the outstanding service and value that local councils provide in supporting the environmental, economic, social and cultural wellbeing of communities.?

“Councils provide far more than vital infrastructure such as water and wastewater management, rubbish collection and roading. ?

“They also work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to deliver projects that engage and enrich their communities.”?

The awards, now in their eighth year, recognise and celebrate the key leadership role local government provides and the work it undertakes to promote and grow the wellbeing of communities throughout New Zealand.?

The winners will be announced at the LGNZ Fulton Hogan Conference Dinner in Palmerston North on Friday, July 22.?

See this video about Jobs in Central Hawke's Bay for more information about their work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhBmmQZOEP0.