Children and young people are learning and developing
New funding will help increase Pacific participation in STEM related sectors, to increase skills and income through the Toloa programme.
This programme encourages Pacific students to pursue studies in STEM subjects, with the aim of increasing the number of Pacific peoples employed in STEM careers. To reach key Pacific audiences simultaneously, the Toloa Programme delivers to three key strands:
- Toloa Tertiary Scholarships for Pacific students pursuing STEM related study
- Toloa Kenese for Post Primary Pacific students to increase awareness and influence students into STEM study options early on
- Toloa Community Fund for Community Groups promoting and delivering STEM activities to our key Pacific influencer groups (parents, family, religious ministers, etc).
2021 saw 59 Toloa Tertiary Scholarships awarded to Pacific students to pursue studies in STEM and become the future innovators and leaders in this space - the highest number of scholarships given out for the programme since it began.
Proposals were sought from providers to deliver the Toloa In-Work Support Programme (TISP) pilot to non-Toloa Tertiary Scholarship awardees, with delivery over the 2020/2021-2023/2024 financial years.