New strategy to boost Auckland's economy

Career Services announces strategy to boost Auckland’s economy

Puts challenge to careers influencers to support a ‘Capable Auckland’

New Zealand’s leading career development agency has announced a new initiative to increase Auckland’s performance as a leader in the Australasian economy through the careers of its citizens.

Speaking at the official opening of its new Auckland central hub office on Friday, Chief Executive of Career Services, Lester Oakes, said that the crown agent is launching a new forum called ‘Capable Auckland’ that will aim to inspire better career development for Auckland’s population.

“Calling Auckland a super-city won’t make it one. But career development of Auckland’s citizens will take Auckland well down the path to being the economic hub of Australasia and living up to the super-city label,” said Mr Oakes.

“New Zealanders who can competently manage their own careers are more productive members of society and so contribute to our economic and social wellbeing. Simply put, without meaningfully employed citizens, a city will not grow.”

Mr Oakes says that the Capable Auckland forum will aim to increase connections between the individuals and organisations that work in career development across Auckland to stimulate thought, discussion and networking for connecting Aucklanders with the relevant knowledge for more effective career development within the City.

Mr Oakes says Career Services will host and support Capable Auckland with the goal of developing a working manifesto for career development in the City, which will translate into more availability of services and opportunities for Aucklanders to develop their careers.

“Our targets are ambitious. We want to ensure that as a City, we are delivering the level of career development services that will ultimately benefit Auckland’s economy and raise it to the level of the leading economic hub of Australasia,” says Mr Oakes.

Mr Oakes said he sees the opening of the new career development centre in Eden Terrace, Auckland – the largest career guidance service facility of its kind in New Zealand – as a significant step in the right direction.

He says the new office will also act as a hub for 20 mobile career consultants to deliver a suite of services – including online tools, resources, advice and guidance – direct to the community across the whole Auckland region. It will also be supported by three satellite offices located at Albany, Henderson and Manukau.

Auckland Central MP, Nikki Kaye, who attended the launch, said "The opening of the new Career Services office in the heart of Auckland is great news for Aucklanders. This office has the potential to help a lot of Aucklanders into work and also bring together a diverse range of people and organisations focussed on career development."

Mr Oakes concluded his remarks by inviting the more than 70 attendees at the launch to register their interest in being a part of the Capable Auckland project.

“Career Services is committed to influencing and inspiring the ongoing growth and vitality of Auckland’s economy through the career development of its citizenry.”

“Capable Auckland will be a place where those working in the careers sector – including tertiary education, employers, industry representatives and the professional associations that represent career workers – can connect and share ideas. It will aim to support the leaders of Auckland and inspire a more coordinated contribution to the new Auckland,” said Mr Oakes.

“We hope you will join with us in participating in the ongoing development of a careers strategy for Auckland now and into the future.”

For more information on the various resources and tools available from Career Services, visit the web site www.careers.govt.nz or phone the advice line on 0800 222 733 to find out more.

ENDS

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