Mark Wonglyn of Careers NZ and Judy Speight of Accelerating Aotearoa, addressed nearly 100 careers advisors at the CATE (Careers and Transition Education Association NZ) annual conference at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on November 24th 2011.
A key message from the presentation was the growing number of jobs available in the digtal sector (according to government’s “HiGrowth” project, 35,000 by 2017!) and our need as educators to prepare young people for those opportunities. 

Meet Noah Ghebremichael–Accelerating Aotearoa’s new Intern, AUT Bachelor of Business student.

“I believe undertaking this Co-op project at Accelerating Aotearoa specifically is a golden opportunity to team up & work closely with dynamic experts from various fields to think critically on how management and technology can be better utilized to create opportunities, reflect on social benefits & responsibilities as well as analyze and understand the impact on New Zealand economy. I could never ask for a better Co-op opportunity”.

AGM Date: 26th August 2011

Accelerating Aotearoa is now seven years old. Statistically it is now destined for survival in the jungle of the “Not for Profit” Charitable Society world.
Nearly thirty members of Accelerating Aotearoa met at the University of Auckland’s Owen G Glenn Building last week to celebrate their 5^th Annual General meeting and receive updates on the current projects of the society.
The following extract contains some of the highlights of the Chief Executive’s Report to members at the meeting.

Long time Accelerating Aotearoa supporter and key member of NFKM aka Niue Moving Forward Together, Mary Aue, was invited to address women at the Auckland event of the Global Women's Summit.

The event was held at Kia Aroha College on August 6th 2011.

The Global Women’s Summits are being organised by the Women’s Information Network (The WIN).

To support the Auckland Plan's priorities around skills and youth, Accelerating Aotearoa has developed a powerful engagement framework to improve success rates in education and enable pathways to skilled and inspiring careers for Maori and Pacific youth.

“Accelerating Aotearoa Talent” (AAT) works with educators and communities along with both the private and public sectors to support talented young people into exciting and well paid careers. The overarching principal for delivery is having engaged families on the programme.

Accelerating Aotearoa has achieved further recognition for its role in strengthening women and families worldwide, with an International Women’s Day “Outstanding Service Award”.
The award was presented to Accelerating Aotearoa founder and CEO Judith Speight by the Mayor of Auckland Len Brown at an event celebrating the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

New Zealand‘s Pacific population is growing, 266,000 in 2010. Most Pacific New Zealanders are New Zealand born, young, and highly urbanised.   Nearly 70% live in Auckland and an increasing number are now unemployed; 15.2% in June 2010, and increase of 4.2% on the previous year.

A number of factors have been demonstrated to stem the growth in unemployment stats and positively impact social and economic transformation;

Ever wondered what the best qualification was to become a project manager or web designer? Or what a graphic designer or business analyst actually did each day?

Accelerating Aotearoa's "Digital Careers" website http://www.digitalcareers.co.nz/ will tell you about some of the great careers of the 21st Century and the study choices you need to get there!

On September 25th at Clover Park School in Otara nearly 100 Pacific senior secondary school students and their families got together to plan their futures. Hosted by Accelerating Aotearoa, Auckland Pacific Careers (APC) is a collaboration based approach to enhancing outcomes for Pacific peoples by supporting them to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to do well for themselves, their families and their communities.

The launch event forms the basis of what is a 3 phased engagement:

Manukau City Council has stepped up to support "Auckland Pacific Careers" and help Pacific students and their families make study and career choices aligned with New Zealand’s future skills needs and to get “work ready” for the job market.

From the schools initially targeted for participation, the programme has now engaged with 15 schools from across the Auckland region, from  which 100 students will take part with their families.