Employment Vocational Services

Te Whare Mahana’s Employment and Vocational Service works closely with other Golden Bay agencies to offer a planning, training and work environment for vocational development. We create opportunities for people who need support to explore, develop skills in proven work environments, and we run the Helping Hands work agency.

The Employment and Vocational Service works in partnership with each client to tailor vocational planning and training with the ultimate aim of finding pathways into employment. It offers assistance in looking at career paths, identifying training and education, searching for jobs, writing CVs, completing job applications, practicing interviewing skills, gaining work experience, or finding voluntary work. It can also arrange support and mentoring in a workplace situation.

In addition to employment support we also help with a variety of groups such as crafts, art and gardening groups with the aim of improving social confidence in a safe environment.

There is close liaison with the Residential and Community Mental Health Services and with other agencies in Golden Bay such as Alcohol and Drug Service, Probation, and Work and Income. Wherever possible, training is delivered by organisations such as the Golden Bay Work Centre Trust, Community Education and distance learning providers. The service is funded by the Ministry of Social Development.

Our ‘Helping Hands’ work agency in Golden Bay provides paid, casual employment as a step towards permanent work.