Developing work readiness for our youth
We partnered with The Warehouse and YouthHub to create a 24/7 digital space (Accelerator) where young people have self-directed access to a suite of workplace training modules and programmes around New Zealand.
Red Shirts in Communities (RSIC), an established on-the-job training programme run by The Warehouse, is the first programme to come to Accelerator. RSIC has helped more than 1,100 young people gain retail industry-related skills and work experience.
In the first Accelerator pilot:
- 21 young people began the programme
- three Warehouse stores participated (Porirua, Sylvia Park and Newmarket)
- 18 young people graduated at the end of the three-week instore experience.
In 2018/19, 265 participants achieved NZQA credits through the programme.
Some feedback we received from the participants:
"I'm already good with customer skills, face-to-face or on calls... but for me coming [into the training, I’m] learning new skills ... things are really different."
Hayden, RSIC participant
"It's really great. When I apply for jobs, employers will see I’ve worked with the Warehouse. When you work with the Warehouse, it’s not just one position you’re basically an all-rounder, you can get called anywhere."
Asim, RSIC participant
