Auckland DHB Rangatahi Programme
Students visited the Medical Museum and participated in workshops - learning about suturing and maintaining an airway. ADHB staff spoke to the students about their roles within the hospital.
The Rangatahi Programme is a Māori and Pacific workforce development programme designed to increase the number of Māori and Pacific health professionals to better reflect the population we serve and assist in reducing inequities our Māori and Pacific communities are currently facing. The programme supports the goals of our Auckland DHB People Strategy of having a workforce that better reflects the ethnic make-up of Aucklanders and thus improve the overall health outcomes for our Māori and Pacific communities.
The Programme provides an opportunity for Māori and Pacific secondary school students to explore a health career and have direct experience in a healthcare setting.
How the Rangatahi Programme Works
There are three main components to how the programme works.
1. Introduction Days
These run throughout the year between May and September and offers students an insight into a career in health. These days are run like an interactive expo type event where the students meet our clinicians. The 7 hour introductory day is held at Auckland Hospital with various activities spread throughout different departments for a more in-depth experience for students.
* 30 students maximum due to capacity, health and safety.
2. Voluntary work experience
Students over 17 years who have attended an Introduction day can apply for unpaid work experience during their school holidays. There are 2 intakes this year in the April and October School holidays with 15-25 students per intake. Students undergo appropriate checks and inductions like any employee before being placed in a clinical setting. Students can be a second pair of helpful hands with patients and whānau, undertake any non-clinical tasks and observe our Health Practitioners in action.
3. Paid Summer Cadetships
This is for Year 13 secondary and first-year tertiary Māori and Pacific students who have completed the voluntary work experience and are further studying towards a career in Health. They can apply for a Paid Cadetship over the summer where they will be employed 0.5 FTE fixed term December through February. There are 10-15 students per intake. The aim is to provide them with a greater insight into working in health. At the end of the cadetship they would have received valuable knowledge and insights into the Health sector and their Career, as well as a Certificate of Completion for their participation with the programme.
