Workforce Support
Tauawhi Kaimahi
Waikato District Workforce
Skilled and innovative local staff
The Waikato district boasts a diverse and dynamic workforce, with a median age of just 38 years, making our population younger than average.
Our strategic location, close to Auckland and Hamilton, combined with diverse housing options and reduced commuting times via the expressway, makes the Waikato district an ideal location for attracting and retaining top talent.
Our economic development team collaborates with regional and national partners to ensure local people are trained to meet the evolving needs of businesses. Feedback from local sector advisory groups informs our workforce development programmes.
We are driven by a vision to provide residents with access to quality employment and career pathways, ensuring a high standard of living and quality of life.
With a strong local workforce driving business productivity and profitability we are focused on working in partnership with industry to ensure local businesses have the skills and staff required for success.
Connect
We are here to help
Our team encourage Waikato district businesses to reach out for a confidential discussion to understand your staffing requirements and how we can work together to connect you with the best staff available.
Workforce and Staff Training Support Services
Services to help build a strong workforce
We understand that a skilled workforce is key in driving productivity in business. There are a number of helpful services on offer to support with your workforce development. Please take some time to review details of the support services available for your business.
Mayors Task Force for Jobs
Supporting local youth into employment
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) is a network of New Zealand’s Mayors aiming to engage young people (16-24) in employment, education, training, or other positive activities.
Waikato District Council, in partnership with the Ministry for Social Development (MSD) and Local Government New Zealand, has secured funding to deliver the MTFJ Employment Pilot.
At Waikato District Council, we enhance community wellbeing by nurturing four pillars: Our Communities, Our Identity, Our People, and Our Businesses. We collaborate with local, regional, and national agencies to support community and business-led initiatives.
Through the MTFJ programme, we support local employment opportunities for young people, helping them pursue their career aspirations. We work with our rangatahi (youth, 16-24) who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) to prepare them for the workforce with work readiness support, pastoral care, and celebrating successes.
For more information, please contact our MTFJ programme coordinator: Pratishtha.purohit@waidc.govt.nz
Workforce Development Councils
Working with you to give greater voice to industries in the vocational education system
The Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) are working to give industry and employers greater leadership and influence across vocational education.
Skills Highway
Workplace literacy and numeracy initiative
Skills Highway provides funding and resources to support employees’ literacy, numeracy and communication skills. It helps build a competitive, skilled and productive workforce.
Mana in Mahi
Helping to kickstart careers
If you're keen to help someone who needs additional support to kickstart a long-term career, there is help with funding and wrap-around on-the-job support.
Apprenticeship Boost
Funding to help with apprentices
Apprenticeship Boost is a payment made to employers to help them keep and take on new apprentices. It means apprentices can keep earning while training towards their qualifications.
Flexi-wage Subsidy
Helping you hire and train staff
Flexi-wage helps you hire staff and get them the skills needed to do the job. You get a wage contribution, while they get training and ongoing support.
Mainstream Programmes
Help employing staff with disabilities
If you're an employer and you can support someone with a disability or health condition, including mental health and neurodiversity, into work through one of the Mainstream Programmes there may be help with wage subsidies, other funding and on-the-job support.
Skills for Industry
Help with pre-employment or in-work training
If candidates need industry specific skills for a job, there may be funding and support to help with short-term pre-employment or in-work training.
Maaori Cadetships
Support to develop, mentor and train Maaori staff
Te Puni Kōkiri’s Cadetships programme is to support kaitono (employers) to develop, mentor and train their permanent Maaori staff at all career stages into higher-skilled roles.
Recruiting, Hiring and Managing Staff
Support to find and employ the right staff for your business
Recruitment
Finding the right staff
Whether you need agency assistance or plan to run your own advertising campaign, the New Zealand government careers website has an extensive list of agencies and job vacancy websites.
NZ Employment Law
Rules when employing staff
When employing staff, the Employment Relations Act 2000 is the principal document you need to know about, and it applies right across New Zealand. The act regulates most aspects of employment, including hours and wages, holidays and parental leave, health and safety, privacy and work conditions.
Free Business Support for Hiring
Free tools to help you employ staff
If you’re a sole trader, contractor, in a partnership or own a
small business — or you advise any of these people — here’s
where you’ll find tips, tools and visual guides to help with
hiring.
Recruiting Internationally
Work visa information
Overseas residents who do not have New Zealand or Australian residency will need an approved work visa. Conveniently, there are a number of visa pathways for investors and for key staff who will set up your operation.