Building Northland's next generation

One question I often think about is how we give more of our young people the opportunity to build a good life here in Northland. For too long, success after school has often been portrayed as going to university, usually somewhere outside the region. University is absolutely the right choice for many. But it isn't the only pathway to a successful career, and we need to get much better at recognising that. Northland has an enormous amount of work ahead of us. We need people to build houses, roads and infrastructure. We need skilled people in our primary industries, engineering, health, tourism and hospitality. And as technology changes the way we work, we will increasingly need people with new technical and digital skills. Those are real careers, with real opportunities, right here in our region. That's why I welcome the announcement of nine new industry-led subjects for senior secondary students. From 2029, students in Years 12 and 13 will be able to study subjects covering engineering, primary industries, construction, health, tourism, energy, hospitality, manufacturing and applied intelligent systems. What I particularly like is that industry is involved in developing them. I spend a lot of time talking to employers around Northland and one message comes through regularly: finding people with the right skills isn't easy. Giving students more opportunities to develop practical skills while they're still at school will help them get a clearer idea of where their strengths lie and where those skills could take them. I want Northland kids to be ambitious about their futures. Whether that's university, a trade, further training or heading into work, there should be a pathway that gives them the skills and confidence to succeed. That's also why the Government is doubling Trades Academy places to 20,000. Trades Academies allow students to gain practical, job-ready experience while they're still at school. For a growing community like Mangawhai, the need for skilled people is obvious. There is a lot happening across Northland, and plenty more ahead. From new housing and infrastructure to our primary industries and local businesses, we are going to need a skilled workforce to support that growth. That creates a real opportunity for our young people. If we can give them the right skills and pathways at school, there is every reason they should be able to build rewarding careers here in Northland. If we can give them the skills employers need, connect them with opportunities at home, and give every student a pathway they can be proud of, that's good for them and good for Northland.