Guide to employing young people

• Set up support systems and training for new young employees to help them become work ready. This could include pre-employment training or trial sessions, inductions, a buddy system or mentoring programmes.
• Offer upskilling opportunities to retain quality employees.
• Support Māori and Pasifika staff networks.
• Support initiatives for women in non-traditional roles and industries.

• Look for soft skills if qualifications and experience are lacking.
• Set out expectations early on. Regularly discuss performance, providing feedback on what your young employees are doing well and where they could improve. This may be their first working experience and they will need time to settle in and be successful in their new role.

Bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to your organisation - whether you’re looking for interns or full-time employees, Summer of Tech can help you find the right young tech, IT or design talent from a skilled pool of students and graduates.
 

TupuToa’s internship and cadetship programmes provide pathways for our Māori and Pacific rangitahi to become future leaders of Aotearoa. Sign up to become a partner and you’ll get greater access to a growing talent pool of young Māori and Pacific graduates, and the opportunity to develop your own cultural capability.

Employers can connect with Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) to find young trainees and apprentices ready to learn and ready to work. ITOs arrange training across a wide range of sectors, including construction, care work, primary industries, tourism and hospitality.

The Chamber’s free employment service connects businesses with ready-to-work job seekers across a wide range of professions and trades, including IT, administration, engineering, marketing and customer service. Post a vacancy and get matched with suitable candidates, whether you’re looking for a permanent or short-term placement. 

Employers can find work-ready employees with the right skills and attitude to hit the ground running, while helping grow a diverse, sustainable workforce. MPTT’s training and industry organisations work together to help Māori and Pacific people become leaders in the trades and to help fill the growing skills gap.

If your business needs to retain or hire new apprentices, you may be eligible for funding through Apprenticeship Boost. Apprentices can keep earning and training towards their qualifications as the economy recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, and the payment is made directly to employers.

If you’d like to hire someone who needs support to gain the required job skills, Flexi-wage may be able to help with training, in-work support, or a temporary wage contribution. This helps employers find the right candidate and more New Zealanders find employment.
 

Mana in Mahi matches employers investing in skills for their business with people who want to start a long-term career and need additional support on their journey. Eligible employers can get help with funding/wage subsidy and wrap-around on-the-job support.

Businesses undertaking R&D activities may be able to access a Student Grant to bring students on board to assist. You’ll benefit from the latest thinking and technology, create links with universities for the future, and help our young people gain practical experience.

Discover tools and services to help you find staff. Access a no-fee recruitment service, advertise jobs for free, look for seasonal or student job seekers, and find out what government funding you may be eligible for when you hire staff and apprentices.

Access no-cost recruitment services through a dedicated Work and Income Work Broker, who’ll help you find the right full-time, part-time or casual workers for your business. You may also be eligible to access funding to help with wages, training and other costs.

The Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network connects small to medium-sized businesses to the right advice, people and resources to grow. Meet with a business advisor to find out what support, connections and funding your business can access.

Connect with tertiary institutes and universities to find motivated students for work experience or recent graduates who are ready to start their careers. Look out for job boards and talent recruitment programmes on institutes’ websites, such as AUT talenthub, Unitec or MIT, or search tertiary institutes below.

Showcase your job and industry by volunteering at an Inspiring the Future event. Help school students learn about different possibilities and pathways for their future by sharing your workplace experience and how you got started in your career.

Kiwi businesses can find young people ready to work or continue training through the government’s six key Vocational Pathways. Each pathway has been developed and endorsed by industry, giving students aged between 16-19 years the practical skills and knowledge needed in your sector.

Designed for year 12 and 13 students, YES helps students set up and run a real business, and build foundational business skills and networks along the way. Sign up to become a mentor and provide advice and direction for our young entrepreneurs.

The Auckland Business Chamber’s free toolkit provides resources to help employers become youth ready, and find ways to attract, engage and retain young people in the workplace.

Advice and resources for Kiwi employers, including information about how to find and hire young people, why it’s good for business, and how you can support young staff as they start out.

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is New Zealand's national qualification for senior secondary school students. Understanding the NCEA qualification can help you gauge the skills and knowledge of potential employees and find the best fit for your business.

• Attend career fairs and youth expos.
• Make guest presentations at training provider organisations.
• Use social media to communicate and advertise jobs.
• Offer work experience and flexible work options.
• Arrange for your current young employees to speak to other young people about their experiences.
• Involve school and whānau support.

• Show that entry-level or seasonal work can lead to opportunities for training and career development.
• Partner with training and industry organisations.
• Support youth work-ready programmes.
• Offer earn-while-you-learn options, apprenticeships and other training programmes.