A combined project with Community Resources Whakatāne, Pou Whakaaro and the Ministry of Social Development is preparing five new workers for long term employment through a 24-week Project in the Community programme.  

Five jobs have been created at Pou Whakaaro and CReW’s workshop, training the five employees, who are aged in their 20s, in woodworking and other skills.

The newly assembled team works Monday to Thursday creating all sorts of orders for the Wood for Good project, which reuses wood donated to the workshop that would otherwise go to landfill.  

One month into the programme, the new employees are well on track to achieving their goals. They are putting together boxes of kindling or bags of firewood, and building bespoke planter boxes and traps and fulfilling various furniture requests.  

Workshop manager Urs Junker said the programme was helping the new employees push against barriers such as alienation and anxiety by giving them connections and building confidence.

“We want them to get the sense of what it would be like being employed,” he said.  

He said they were already looking at certificate and training opportunities tailored to each worker’s interests. Two already had their Level 3 qualification in carpentry.

CReW business manager Gerrard McCormack said CReW was taking orders for any furniture required and could even provide refurbishment services.  

“We can basically make anything out of wood; I think we do it pretty cheap, too,” he said.

He said all five employees are already proving themselves as good workers.

“It was just about getting them the opportunities. Now, they’ve proven they can do it.”

He said CReW will be contacting local employers to enquire about further recruitment or apprenticeship opportunities for the workers.  

“They’re in employment now, and the idea is that it continues,” he said.  

He said CReW and Pou Whakaaro were talking to MSD about other potential future programme avenues.  

“Every kindling box, planter box, bag of firewood, traps and more makes a massive impact on employment opportunities we are able to deliver.”

Boxes of kindling from CReW are buy two, get one free. A bag of firewood can also be purchased and delivered to your home for $60.  

The group is working on two sets of outdoor furniture – table and chairs – for hospice, one for the nurses’ area and another to be auctioned as part of a summer package for an upcoming hos

pice fundraiser at the end of August.  

MSD is supporting the project via the Flexi-Wage Project in the Community initiative.

MSD regional commissioner Sharlene Horne congratulates Pou Whakaaro and CReW for creating the opportunity for jobseekers to find work in their community.

“Helping people find employment is a key focus for the ministry,” she said.  

“Supporting people to develop the skills through work on this project is an important part of us helping improve their employment prospects and prepare them for the labour market.”