Work and Income can help you develop the skills needed for your business during New Zealand’s economic recovery and rebuild. When you hire an employee through Mana in Mahi, you can get funding and support to recruit, train and keep them engaged.

You need to have a permanent full-time or part-time position you want to fill and be willing to commit to supporting your new employee on a pathway towards a formal industry qualification.

You can get a wage subsidy of up to $16,000 for the employee’s first year and up to $8,000 for their second year, depending on their training pathway. Payments are available to help with pre-employment and industry training costs. Mana in Mahi also provides pastoral support for up to 24 months, providing additional security while you support and mentor an employee in training.

Funding for employers to help them support their apprentices to train and develop their skills.

Employers of apprentices in their first or second year of a New Zealand Apprenticeship or a Managed Apprenticeship approved by the Tertiary Education Commission.

Payments to employers of $500 a month will be made for both first and second year apprentices. 

The Māori Trades and Training Fund provides funding to support community-led employment and training programmes for Māori.

Māori entities - Iwi, Hapū, Māori businesses.

• Funding towards trainee wages and allowances.
• Supports the cost of providing further support services such as pastoral care.
• Funding towards administration and coordination costs.