Cadets ready to work their way to success

It was a milestone day for six new cadets last week (21 September), as Far North District Council Chambers rang with waiata to mark the start of a potentially life-changing 10-month work programme.

The pōwhiri kicked off this year’s cadetship which aims to open doors to future work options for rangatahi aged 18-24.

The council delivers the cadetship in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Work Ready, and it has an impressive track record. Work Ready joined the initiative a decade ago to boost participants' confidence and skills ahead of their council placements. Since then, every cadet who has completed the programme has gone on to secure employment, more than 60 per cent at the council alone.

During the pōwhiri, Mayor Kahika Moko Tepania told the new arrivals that the next few months could lead to a lifetime of opportunities. He said joining the council means “you are helping to support the 75,000 people who call this district home”.

New cadet Hemi Cherrington said he hopes to learn new skills during his placement “so that I can help my community and do something meaningful for them”.

Work Ready’s Alison Frayne told the cadets they had worked hard to get to this point. “We are incredibly proud of you. Be excited about what comes next.”

She also thanked the council for opening its doors to rangatahi from the Far North. “You are helping to grow the leaders of the future.”

If you are interested in becoming a cadet, contact MSD or Work Ready to find out more.

Pictured (from left): Hemi Cherrington, Jazz Tasker-Frost, Shanya Marsh, Iverson (Ivy) Davies, Joe Cherry, Trinity Campbell.