Taranaki Careers Website Steering Committee
Margaret Sykes
Executive Director
BA (French and Italian) Victoria University of Wellington, PG Dip (French) University of Otago., currently studying for dBA Otago University.
Over the past ten years Margaret has acquired a broad range of management experience in both Health and Education. She completed her primary and secondary education in Taranaki, and has just returned to the "Top Town" in New Zealand to live. Prior to her recent recruitment to Education Taranaki, Margaret worked as General Manager of the Dunedin Urgent Doctors and Accident Centre, and before that, she was the Manager of the PhD and Scholarships Office at the University of Otago.
Margaret is really enjoying her new role in which she is able to link in with the young people of Taranaki, and work closely with the schools and tertiary organisations to foster and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of the region. "It is great to be part of this thriving province once again, with the strength of its core industries, oil and gas, and dairy, supporting our youth with employment and training opportunities. I am looking forward to working with industry and the community to ensure that our young people have the exposure to all the options, so that they can make the best choices for their future." The Taranaki Careers Website is a great starting place for information gathering, and is regularly updated. The Website is governed by a steering committee comprising a community development representative from the three Taranaki district councils, Youth Transition Services, and Careers Services NZ. These organisations all have an interest in ensuring a smooth transition from school to work or further training/education for our youth. The South Taranaki District Council has partnered Education Taranaki in this project since its inception.
Karen Mekalick
South Taranaki District Council
In 2002 I took on the role of Community Development Manager at the South Taranaki District Council and soon afterwards initiated a research project to address growing areas of skill shortages in South Taranaki. Local companies I visited were reporting difficulty in getting information out to potential employees and felt that young people were unaware of the range of career opportunities available locally. On the other hand, many of our young people were experiencing difficulty accessing the information they wanted about careers and, with the increasing cost of education, about scholarships and supported training programmes such as apprenticeships.
The concept for a Careers Website came out of this research and, in the north of the region, Education Taranaki had identified a similar need. Rather than compete, we pooled resources and invited other organisations with an interest and the knowledge to help develop the website.
Six years on the website continues to provide a 'one-stop-shop' for students and for adults considering a career change. The site helps users to find the right career for them and access scholarships and industry support to help them achieve their goals. The South Taranaki District Council values the websites contribution to attracting and retaining the skilled people we need to help or region and our communities grow.
Eileen Kiffin
Career Services
I am currently a Career Consultant with Career Services rapuara, a Crown Entity which is dedicated to helping people explore their options by providing free, independent information and advice about jobs, training and courses. This fits well with the aims of Education Taranaki and the Taranaki Careers website which brings the information to a local level.
My previous work was as a Teacher and as an Employment Advisor and Case Manager for the Ministry of Social Development. In these careers I was involved in assisting students and their families to access current and relevant information on careers and further learning options.
One of my tasks with Career Services rapuara is as a member of the working party to help develop better tertiary and trade training decision making opportunities.
I am pleased to be involved with Education Taranaki and the Taranaki Careers website.
Leighton Littlewood
New Plymouth District Council
I have a degree in History and Politics from Massey University and have been involved in youth work and outdoor education in various roles since 1995.
I am currently a Community Development Adviser working in the areas of Positive Ageing, Community Arts, Community Education, and with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and Youth Subcommittee.
Leighton Littlewood
Community Development Adviser
New Plymouth District Council
Pauline James
Stratford District Council
As Community Development Advisor for the Stratford District Council my role encompasses ensuring the social well being of the people of Stratford District. This ranges from pre school care through to retention of health services, from youth development to school holiday programmes, from community funding to positive ageing. Everything that affects people is of interest to my role within Council.
Having worked at Council for more than 18 years now primarily in administration roles, the community role, to which I was appointed 3 years ago, is still relatively new to me. I enjoy working with the community and every day is different. The people of Stratford are friendly and share a sense of "community". Our local volunteer base is huge.
Two community organisations that receive a lot of my attention (in my own time) are Stratford Lions - where I am curently Immediate Past President and Zone 5 Chairman; and Central Taranaki Victim Support - where I have held the position of President since 2004. Both are excellent community organisations with good "helping out" values - something I subscribe to on a very personal basis.
It is important to me that we look after our young people, that we nuture, educate and prepare them for adulthood. This is why the Taranaki Careers Website is or particular value to our region. Our young need our assistance to help them move forward and into a positive career and future lifestyle.
Youth Transition Services
Youth Transition Services (YTS) assists young people as they transition from school to further education, training, work or other activities that contribute to their long-term independence and wellbeing. YTS is involved with the Taranaki Careers Website Steering Committee providing another channel of support to young people.
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Margaret SykesExecutive Director
BA (French and Italian) Victoria University of Wellington, PG Dip (French) University of Otago., currently studying for dBA Otago University.
Over the past ten years Margaret has acquired a broad range of management experience in both Health and Education. She completed her primary and secondary education in Taranaki, and has just returned to the "Top Town" in New Zealand to live. Prior to her recent recruitment to Education Taranaki, Margaret worked as General Manager of the Dunedin Urgent Doctors and Accident Centre, and before that, she was the Manager of the PhD and Scholarships Office at the University of Otago.
Margaret is really enjoying her new role in which she is able to link in with the young people of Taranaki, and work closely with the schools and tertiary organisations to foster and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of the region. "It is great to be part of this thriving province once again, with the strength of its core industries, oil and gas, and dairy, supporting our youth with employment and training opportunities. I am looking forward to working with industry and the community to ensure that our young people have the exposure to all the options, so that they can make the best choices for their future." The Taranaki Careers Website is a great starting place for information gathering, and is regularly updated. The Website is governed by a steering committee comprising a community development representative from the three Taranaki district councils, Youth Transition Services, and Careers Services NZ. These organisations all have an interest in ensuring a smooth transition from school to work or further training/education for our youth. The South Taranaki District Council has partnered Education Taranaki in this project since its inception.
Karen MekalickSouth Taranaki District Council
In 2002 I took on the role of Community Development Manager at the South Taranaki District Council and soon afterwards initiated a research project to address growing areas of skill shortages in South Taranaki. Local companies I visited were reporting difficulty in getting information out to potential employees and felt that young people were unaware of the range of career opportunities available locally. On the other hand, many of our young people were experiencing difficulty accessing the information they wanted about careers and, with the increasing cost of education, about scholarships and supported training programmes such as apprenticeships.
The concept for a Careers Website came out of this research and, in the north of the region, Education Taranaki had identified a similar need. Rather than compete, we pooled resources and invited other organisations with an interest and the knowledge to help develop the website.
Six years on the website continues to provide a 'one-stop-shop' for students and for adults considering a career change. The site helps users to find the right career for them and access scholarships and industry support to help them achieve their goals. The South Taranaki District Council values the websites contribution to attracting and retaining the skilled people we need to help or region and our communities grow.
Eileen KiffinCareer Services
I am currently a Career Consultant with Career Services rapuara, a Crown Entity which is dedicated to helping people explore their options by providing free, independent information and advice about jobs, training and courses. This fits well with the aims of Education Taranaki and the Taranaki Careers website which brings the information to a local level.
My previous work was as a Teacher and as an Employment Advisor and Case Manager for the Ministry of Social Development. In these careers I was involved in assisting students and their families to access current and relevant information on careers and further learning options.
One of my tasks with Career Services rapuara is as a member of the working party to help develop better tertiary and trade training decision making opportunities.
I am pleased to be involved with Education Taranaki and the Taranaki Careers website.
Leighton LittlewoodNew Plymouth District Council
I have a degree in History and Politics from Massey University and have been involved in youth work and outdoor education in various roles since 1995.
I am currently a Community Development Adviser working in the areas of Positive Ageing, Community Arts, Community Education, and with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and Youth Subcommittee.
Leighton Littlewood
Community Development Adviser
New Plymouth District Council
Pauline JamesStratford District Council
As Community Development Advisor for the Stratford District Council my role encompasses ensuring the social well being of the people of Stratford District. This ranges from pre school care through to retention of health services, from youth development to school holiday programmes, from community funding to positive ageing. Everything that affects people is of interest to my role within Council.
Having worked at Council for more than 18 years now primarily in administration roles, the community role, to which I was appointed 3 years ago, is still relatively new to me. I enjoy working with the community and every day is different. The people of Stratford are friendly and share a sense of "community". Our local volunteer base is huge.
Two community organisations that receive a lot of my attention (in my own time) are Stratford Lions - where I am curently Immediate Past President and Zone 5 Chairman; and Central Taranaki Victim Support - where I have held the position of President since 2004. Both are excellent community organisations with good "helping out" values - something I subscribe to on a very personal basis.
It is important to me that we look after our young people, that we nuture, educate and prepare them for adulthood. This is why the Taranaki Careers Website is or particular value to our region. Our young need our assistance to help them move forward and into a positive career and future lifestyle.
Youth Transition Services
Youth Transition Services (YTS) assists young people as they transition from school to further education, training, work or other activities that contribute to their long-term independence and wellbeing. YTS is involved with the Taranaki Careers Website Steering Committee providing another channel of support to young people.
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