The Government announced today it is establishing 15 independent Regional Skills Leadership Groups to better manage changing skills and workforce needs in our regions and cities and to support the recovery of labour markets. There are 10 Skills Leadership Groups that have been launched today with the remaining five to be launched thereafter.

“These Groups were planned before the arrival of COVID-19 as part of a joined up approach to labour market planning which will see our workforce, welfare, education and immigration systems working together to better meet the differing skills needs across the country,” Employment Minister Willie Jackson said.

The Groups will work closely with local and national initiatives including six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs). WDCs will focus on industry specific training needs across all of New Zealand while the Skills Leadership Groups will offer a regional perspective on skills and labour market needs.

“Initially, the Groups will be the eyes and ears on the ground, supporting the immediate response to the regional labour market impact arising from COVID-19,” Minister Jackson said.

“They will bring a local leadership voice and common view identifying workforce and skills needs in their region, both now and in the future, and advise on actions to cultivate these.”

The Skills Leadership Groups feature regional industry leaders, economic development agencies, iwi and worker and government representatives, who will contribute their knowledge and local expertise. They will be supported by a team of data analysts, policy advisors and workforce specialists.

For their first year, the Groups will be set up on an interim, one-year basis with a swift appointment process, and a mandate to gather local intelligence that supports the COVID-19 response.