A pilot programme has been launched to keep people in tourism jobs affected by Covid-19, while giving them new training opportunities.

The programme ‘Train, Retain and Regain 2021’ will be piloted in the Queenstown Lakes District, Te Anau and the Mackenzie District.

The aim is to enable employers keep core staff, providing them with an opportunity to reskill in other areas of the business and gain a qualification in an area they are keen to pursue that is of value to the business.

It has been developed by Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, Queenstown Resort College and Ministry of Social Development (MSD),

The pilot runs over 26 weeks on a part-time basis so participants can continue to work, including at peak tourist times.

Queenstown Resort College will administer and deliver the programme at its Queenstown campus. MSD funding will support up to 140 workers (110 full-time employed and 30 part-time employed) to participate.

“It's fantastic that we are able to offer a local solution to our businesses that enables them to retain and build capability, with the confidence of MSD support for the next six months," Queenstown Chamber chief executive Ruth Stokes said.

"Even with the confirmation of a trans-Tasman travel bubble, the nature of Covid means we will be living with business uncertainty for some time to come. In that environment it is critical to provide businesses with a programme they can rely on for six months, delivered by a partner they know and trust, that will work with them to build capability and is flexible to accommodate changing business demands."

Queenstown Resort College chief executive Charlie Phillips said he's thrilled the college can support the region in this way.

"MSD and Chambers have worked hand-in-hand with us to make this a reality.

"We are committed to the tourism and hospitality sector and we are really pleased we have been successful in putting together what we believe is a programme that will make a very real and positive contribution to local businesses in 2021," he said.

MSD industry partnerships director Amanda Nicolle said the programme has been designed to help keep people employed and also upskill, gaining industry qualifications that will be valuable to the employees, employers and the sector as a whole.

"MSD recognises the ongoing impact of border closures, and the impact that losing jobs and letting staff go has had on these businesses and their staff.

"We hope this pilot programme will be a welcome support for Queenstown, the Mackenzie district and Te Anau, and increase the ability of New Zealanders to take on more skilled roles that employers might normally have to look overseas to fill," she said.

To participate, employers nominate eligible employees (either New Zealand citizens or permanent residents) for the funded pilot programme.

Applications open from April 15 and the pilot begins on May 3. More details are available through the college.

PHOTO: Supplied