PGF funding enables more Hawke’s Bay women to reclaim their future through employment, training and education
opportunities
Hastings, 10 June 2019 – An investment from the Provincial Growth Fund will help more young women and sole parents to
develop a more positive future through employment, training and education opportunities.
In the latest PGF round, Hawke’s Bay company The Development Hub was granted funding for its Initiate Rangatahi (18-24 year olds) and Initiate Wahine Toa (+24 year olds) programmes, says founder and managing director, Sarah-Jo Barley.
“This investment means that we can run an additional eight programmes and help more Hawke’s Bay women develop their
self-confidence and self-belief to create the future that they choose.
“The Development Hub team is proud of the work we do in the Hawke’s Bay community and humbled that through this PGF
investment that we can do so much more both this year and next.
“We’re grateful to have our work recognised, and for the support of our funders and the businesses that we partner
with,” says Ms Barley.
With programmes focusing predominantly on women, The Development Hub (TDH) provides a hand up, and proven practical
support to help access education, employment or training opportunities. To date, more than 180 local individuals have
attended TDH programmes.
Tailored training and support helps candidates to develop their strengths and the foundation skills they need to get the
opportunity they want. Ongoing support means they’re more likely to stay on track and keep working towards their goals
as well as staying in work or training.
“It takes the ongoing support and commitment of a community of government agencies, as well as community and
non-government organisations to work with us, to help our people and participate in the success of having the opportunity for all women to be in work, training or education, fully engaged and participating in their communities,” says Sarah-Jo Barley.
“More funding means we can help more people seeking employment or development opportunities, to dramatically increase
their chances of achieving their goals and progress both personally and professionally.
“We are also looking for more businesses to partner with us and take on our candidates. The Development Hub can provide
work-ready candidates and access to a new group of people that businesses may not have considered previously, with an
ease of recruitment and a proven cost-benefit.
“So far more than 50 local businesses have partnered with us for some or all of their staffing needs. We’re grateful for
their support and for the important role they play in building stronger and more resilient communities.”
Lee Neville, Economic Development Manager Hastings District Council, says attracting inwards investment from
international call centres has been supported by The Development Hub.
“This gives confidence that the region can deliver trained personnel for business. The Development Hub team provide
solutions to business needs in Hawke’s Bay.”
The Development Hub is receiving encouraging feedback from funders for the way its programmes are delivered and the
outcomes being achieved. Innovative reporting, use of intelligent technology and the intensive pastoral care
demonstrated through case studies that continue long after course completion illustrate that The Development Hub is
meeting the needs of candidates, businesses and funders. All are tangible measures of quality that meet the requirements
of PGF programmes He Poutama Rangatahi and Te Ara Mahi, programmes that focus on education, skills pathways, training and employment.
The Ministry of Social Development East Coast Region congratulates Sarah-Jo Barley and The Development Hub in their
success in gaining funding as part of the Provincial Growth Fund, says Annie Aranui, Regional Commissioner, MSD East
Coast.
“The Development Hub takes a supportive and strengths based approach to prepare and support women into employment. After
attending a course these women clearly demonstrate increased confidence and work readiness. I want to congratulate and
acknowledge The Development Hub. It is not just connecting women into employment, it is changing the lives of these
women and their children.
“Over the last two years MSD has partnered with The Development Hub to connect mutual clients into sustainable jobs.
Sarah-Jo and The Development Hub are valued partners and we are excited about the continued success that this investment
will enable and the women they support to achieve,” says Ms Aranui.
The Development Hub is making a difference, says Sarah-Jo Barley.
“Women that complete our courses have a much better chance of finding work or securing training and education
opportunities. There is an 80 per cent success rate for those that finish our programmes.
“Our candidates tell us that working is much better than being unemployed and lacking direction. They are proud to be
setting a good example for their tamariki and whanau. The changes in our candidates are noticeable and we couldn’t be
prouder of our women and their mahi.
“Together with our partners, The Development Hub tackles some of the society’s biggest challenges. Our work is hard, but
it is rewarding. We are inspired every day by the women we work with, and passionate about supporting wahine, and
through their success, their children, whanau and communities,” she says.
The work of The Development Hub is aligned to Matariki Hawke’s Bay Regional Development Strategy for Economic and Social
Growth work area 2; improve pathways to and through employment.
ENDS