The team behind business support forum Manaaki.io has today announced The Digital Doers Academy to help job seekers in Aotearoa build their digital capability.
The Digital Doers Academy pilot programme, funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), aims to offset the
negative impact of COVID19 by training participants to become digital and social media advisors – who can then support
themselves and the business community as independent contractors or employees.
Manaaki.io Co-founder Pat Macfie (Ngāti Māhanga-Hourua, Ngāi Te Rangi), said his team created Digital Doers in response to the
nationwide cry for digital help from businesses following the COVID19 lockdown.
“In 2021 every business needs a digital doer. This programme is a way for people who may have been displaced from work,
to go from job seeker to making a real impact in helping Kiwi businesses – in a few short months.”
“So long as you have the fundamentals of digital understanding and the willingness to learn, Digital Doers can help you
to put your best foot forward in a digital role.”
“This is a chance to get some independence and self-determination back. And, with your new capability, be at the heart
of the changing environment for businesses in Aotearoa.”
Starting in 2021, the twenty-week programme consists of twelve weeks of online learning, followed by an eight-week
business internship alongside leading Kiwi innovators.
While the programme has the scaling potential to be available to a large group of job seekers, the pilot, running from
March, will offer 25 places to Kiwis from diverse backgrounds who are already receiving MSD benefits, or are
disadvantaged in the job market.
“Digital media creates endless opportunities. If we can pass on our mātauranga in this area especially to members of our
Māori and Pasifika community who are struggling, the world could be their oyster.”
“We hope the Digital Doers Academy sends a message of hope and opportunity – and ultimately transforms lives. We can’t
wait to get started. Let’s go.”
“The MSD Industry Partnership team is excited to partner with Manaaki.io to bring the Digital Doers Academy pilot to fruition. MSD is committed to creating new forward-thinking pathways to
employment for all New Zealand job seekers, and that fits well with the opportunities available through The Digital
Doers Academy pilot,” says Amanda Nicolle, Director Industry Partnerships MSD.
Each module will have a video-based lesson, quizzes, a live webinar with an industry expert, and exercises that will be
assessed by the programme manager and submitted for peer review.
Local or remote internships will take place in small businesses that may be part of the Manaaki and Chooice ecosystem. Interns will likely be exposed to multiple projects, and each will receive and provide constructive feedback
and guidance throughout the internship.
Interested clients and jobseekers can find out more information and apply at www.manaaki.io/digitaldoersacademy and through their local Work and Income Service Centre.