Are you a tourism or hospitality business owner or employer, struggling to deal with the current industry skills shortages?

Did you know that the Government offers a range of funding, recruitment, and staff training support to help Tourism & Hospitality businesses?

This list outlines the assistance available to businesses which may help ease some of the issues caused by industry skill shortages:

Mana in Mahi

Mana in Mahi is a Strength in Work programme designed to help eligible young Kiwis kickstart their career by getting paid to learn while they work and gain recognised qualifications on the job.

Funding is available to employers to support their commitment towards training and sustainable employment for those enrolled in the programme.

If you’re keen to help someone begin their long-term career in the industry and develop a skilled employee for your business, the Mana in Mahi programme can:

•          Work to understand your business needs and match you with the right talent
•          Provide wrap-around support for both employee and employer and arrange regular contact to ensure progress
•          Help pay for up to $2000 of pre-employment training, up to $8,000 of industry training course fees and any educational support required by the employee
•          Provide a wage subsidy of up to $16,000 to offset time spent on training and development and up to $3,000 of incentive payments to motivate them to complete their qualification

Employer requirements to participate in Mana in Mahi include any businesses who:

• have a permanent full-time or part-time position to fill
• offer at least adult minimum wage
• commit to supporting the new employee on a relevant NZQA-approved industry training pathway (minimum 60 credits)

Employers are responsible for enrolling the employee into a training provider, guiding them through assessments and towards course completion.

If you’re a business keen to get involved, please apply here and the team will respond within 5 days.

If you’re a potential employee keen to get involved, find out more here.

Skills for Industry

The Skills for Industry programme enables employers to hire qualified staff, who are ready to work.

With assistance from MSD, employers are supported to upskill both potential and current staff via short, cost-effective, pre-employment and in-work training, to help them gain specific skills required by their business and roles.

Employers can be supported to develop and deliver in-house training, or send staff to established training providers to complete programmes designed to address skill and labour shortages including:

•          Health & Safety
•          Business
•          Basic Skills & Licenses
•          Industry Qualifications

Funding available is dependant on the business sector & location, position type & employment length, training type & cost.

If you are interested in finding out more and your business is a small-to-medium business, phone the Employer Line on 0800 778 008.

If you are interested in finding out more and you belong to an industry association or are part of a large national business, email [email protected] or call the Employer Line on 0800 778 008.

Flexi Wage

The Flexi Wage programme helps jobseekers get the skills needed to meet job requirements, including training ongoing support and wage contributions, which are paid to employers.

Employers who are keen to hire new staff, who require extra training to get job-ready can encourage potential employees to sign up for the Flexi Wage programme. To find out more about jobseeker eligibility criteria, please visit here.

To meet the programme requirements, Employers must:

•          Pay at least minimum wage
•          Offer minimum hours to meet work obligations
•          Offer ongoing, continuing work after Flexi-Wage finishes or a fixed-term position that benefits the community or environment
•          Not dismiss a current staff member to make a position available for the new employee

Employers can find out more about the Flexi Wage programme here, including information on the $9,936 wage contributions available.

For anyone interested in or in the early stages of starting their own business, the Flexi Wage programme also offers support for self-employment, including:

•          $16,800 funding for setting up the businesses, paying for equipment or living costs while the business is in it’s early stages
•          Assistance with creating a Business Plan
•          $5000 Business Training and Advice Grant
•          Self-Employment start up payment

Apprenticeship Boost

The Apprenticeship Boost is a payment made directly to employers, to help them keep existing or take on new apprentices. The payment from MSD supports the wages of apprentices who are employed and in training, enabling them to complete their  qualifications.

The most common type of Hospitality apprentice in NZ are in the Food & Beverage sector; Chefs and Cooks.

Employers interested in the programme must ensure their apprentice is:

•          Enrolled & engaged in an NZ, Managed Apprenticeship
•          In the first two years of a programme that is TEC-approved and run by an ITO, Te Pūkenga (or one of its subsidiaries), a Wānanga, or registered PTE
•          In active employment by the business, or contracted if they’re self-employed
•          Paid at least minimum wage / starting out wage / training wage
•          Registered with Apprenticeship Boost by the employer; they cannot apply themselves.

Employers can receive the apprenticeship boost financial support of up to $575/month for up to 24 months, or until the programme ends in December 2023. To find out more, please visit here.