Pruning Unemployment - A Story of Job Placement

This digital movie describes a Job Placement Forestry Initiative run by Work and Income in the Tairawhiti region. Key components were pre-employment forestry training, workplace follow-up visits and liaison between client, case manager and contractor. The movie is part of a wider project evaluating an Earnings Supplement Pilot.

The initiative was critical in helping new workers stay in their jobs by providing technical and personal support during their transition to work. Additional benefits included promoting the value of training and good employer practice to industry contractors, and building a positive relationship between regional Work and Income staff and silviculture employers.

A digital medium was chosen to tell the story because it effectively captures the essence of the initiative, which had much to do with the person employed in the support role. He had credibility within the industry and was able to develop a good relationship with clients, which was essential to the programme's success.