Exciting News for Workforce Development!

A new fund, the Workforce Futures Fund | Tahua Rāngaimahi Anamata, has been established and will open for applications in February 2025. This fund aims to support initiatives across various specified industries, ensuring a brighter future for workforces.

Eligible Sectors

The fund will provide grants to workforces in the following sectors:

• Aged Support
• Cleaning
• Disability Support
• Healthcare Services
• Home and Community Health Services
• Mental Health and Addiction Support
• Social Services
• Urban Pest Management
• Youth Work

Fund Details

The Workforce Futures Fund is backed by a substantial $15 million, which will be distributed over the next three years through two grant rounds each year. The exact timeframe may vary depending on the volume and type of applications received.  Funds will need to benefit an industry rather than just one company.

Purpose of the Fund:

• Innovation in Workforce Development: Encouraging the use of new technologies and collaborative efforts across workforces.
• Strategic Investment: Demonstrating the value of strategic investments in workforce development.
• Service Delivery Improvement: Funding projects that build or enhance service delivery.

Funding Areas:

• Vocational training, workforce development, and education.
• Programs, information, and resources to promote best practices and continuous improvement.
• Initiatives to attract and retain people in the sectors.

First Funding Round

The first round of applications will open for a six-week period starting in mid-February 2025. Detailed information to assist with application decisions will be available in November 2024, along with a dedicated website.

Fund Origin and Management

The fund was created using reserves from Careerforce after its merger into Te Pūkenga as part of the Reform of Vocational Education. The Community Social Services Industry Training Organisation (CSSITO), a charitable company with registered charity status, holds the funds. CSSITO’s shareholders include peak bodies from the eight eligible sectors:

• NZ Aged Care Association (NZACA)
• Building Service Contractors New Zealand (BSCNZ)
• NZ Disability Support Network (NZDSN)
• Home & Community Health Association Inc (HCHA)
• Platform Charitable Trust (Platform)
• Social Services Providers Association (SSPA)
• Pest Management Association of New Zealand (PMANZ)
• Ara Taiohi

BSCNZ’s Involvement

BSCNZ plans to apply for funding, with a project that will be developed through its committees, council members, and the Training and Cultural Advisory committee. This project aims to benefit BSCNZ members and the wider commercial cleaning industry.