Our event at Tāmaki College – ‘Enabling Tamaki Makaurau Pacific Workforce Talanoa’ – late last year marked the beginning of an exciting partnership between the school and local business Buckley Systems. The Talanoa was a chance to expose Pacific students to career pathways within the manufacturing sector and connect local businesses with the school. Interest was strong in the event, and the hall was buzzing with introductions, information and enthusiasm.

There was an instant connection at the Talanoa and discussions were immediately underway to see how Buckley’s and the school could work together to help rangatahi (young people) on the pathway towards a manufacturing career.

The Tāmaki Gateway Programme, a partnership between Buckley’s and Tāmaki college, quickly grew out of these discussions. The programme is a 10-week initiative designed to give local students hands-on experience in the manufacturing industry, giving them a taste of the manufacturing industry and broadening their horizons.

One of the participants, Maino, shared how welding became his favourite part of the program. He loves working with the tools and, even more importantly, he’s gained a newfound confidence in working in manufacturing.

Through the program, he’s also learned valuable knowledge in workplace health and safety, which will serve him well as he takes his next steps in his career. With the skills and experience he’s gained, Maino is well on his way to exploring career opportunities in the manufacturing sector.

Tāmaki College Gateway Coordinator Daniel Alexander said collaborating with the team at Buckley Systems has been an exceptional opportunity for the students. “It was a joy to connect with members of the Buckley Systems team at the Talanoa, where the value of strong industry-education partnerships was highlighted by members of the panel. We are grateful to industry partners, like Buckley Systems, who recognise and invest in the potential of high school students, who may otherwise never have the opportunity to gain experience and forge their own pathway within the [manufacturing] industry.”

The partnership is a match made in heaven, with Daniel describing the school’s experience with Buckley’s as outstanding. “The team consistently went above and beyond to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our students, and to offer them a wide range of learning and development opportunities,” Daniel explained.

Following the success of a pilot, Tāmaki College and Buckley Systems have established an ongoing partnership – one that it is hoped will continue to open doors for students and help them to discover their place within the industry. “I’m personally hopeful that some of these students might find themselves as apprentices with Buckley Systems or other industry partners as a direct result of this connection,” Daniel concluded.

Lewis Peart, Learning and Development Business Partner at Buckly Systems was just as positive, describing working with the Tāmaki College team as being an ‘absolute pleasure’. “Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to their students’ futures are truly inspiring,” Lewis said, adding that it is a privilege for Buckley system to play a role in supporting the school’s mission in a meaningful way.

“One of the ways we can contribute is by introducing students to the exciting opportunities available in the manufacturing sector. By opening doors and broadening horizons, we hope to ignite curiosity and confidence in the next generation of innovators. We’re excited about the future of this partnership and look forward to continuing to build a strong and lasting relationship with Tāmaki College,” Lewis explained.

This partnership is an exciting initiative and one that is hoped will be just the beginning. Watch this space!