WHAT'S BUZZING?

We were delighted to update members at the latest PMANZ AGM about the exciting training and development opportunities that have opened up to us with the recent establishment of the Workforce Futures Fund. We'll keep you updated both here and in our newsletters. In the meantime, we're pleased to post this formal announcement from the fund Chairperson.

New fund for workforces opening February

A new fund, the Workforce Futures Fund | Tahua Rāngaimahi Anamata, will open in February 2025 for applications to support initiatives in specified industries.

The fund will grant to workforces in: Aged support; Cleaning; Disability support; Healthcare services; Home and community health services; Mental health and addiction support; social services; Urban pest management; and Youth work sectors.

How much is in the fund and what is it for?

The $15m fund will be spent down via two grant rounds each year over the next three years. This timeframe may change based on the number and type of applications.

The fund’s purpose is supporting innovation in workforce development and demonstrating the value of strategic investment. It will support greater use of technology; collaboration across workforces; and projects that build or improve service delivery. It will fund:

• Vocational training, workforce development and education;
• Programmes, information and resources to promote best practice and continuous improvement; and
• Attracting people to work in the sectors and workforce retention.

When is the first funding round?

The Workforce Futures Fund will open for the first round of applications over a six-week period from mid-February. More details to support application decisions will be released in November, when a website with information will be available.

How can I stay updated?

PMANZ will continue to carry updates. If you’d like to hear future news directly please fill out this form https://forms.gle/ziiREbUK3sdNNGoS7. In the form we also invite you to ask us questions to help make sure future communications answer them.

We are unable to respond individually at this stage, as we are currently focussed on making the decisions that will enable us to answer your question! We will be in a better position to engage from November.

Who is behind the fund?

The fund was established with reserves from Careerforce following the transition of its learning and training functions into Te Pūkenga as part of the Reform of Vocational Education.

Community Social Services Industry Training Organisation is the legal entity holding the funds. CSSITO is a charitable company that has registered charity status. Its shareholders are peak bodies in the eight sectors that are eligible for the funding:

• NZ Aged Care Association (NZACA)
• Building Service Contractors New Zealand (BSCNZ)
• NZ Disability Support Network (NZDSN)
• Home & Community Health Association Inc (HCHA)
• Platform Charitable Trust (Platform)
• Social Services Providers Association (SSPA)
• Pest Management Association of New Zealand (PMANZ)
• Ara Taiohi.

A Grants Assessment Panel, made up of shareholder-nominated representatives who have industry-specific knowledge, will make recommendations to the Board.

Board members are: Maxine Graham; Fiona Kingsford; Jeremy Sole; and Jane Wrightson. They have just appointed an Executive Officer, Sue McCabe, and are working to develop the grantmaking processes, policies and information needed.

Jane Wrightson

Board Chair