Answer extracted from The Otago Opportunity podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What recognition has Workforce Central Dunedin won for its work?
Workforce Central Dunedin has received recognition from multiple organizations, including a Kuma award for being the best business partner to the Māori business collective. The organization reached the SightSafe Awards finals twice—for pastoral care and cultural competency—and secured a judges' choice award as a finalist for the Good Youth Employer Award.
The accolades reflect the organization's commitment to supporting workers and partners throughout the Dunedin Hospital build process. These recognitions come from different sectors—community-focused organizations, health and safety bodies, and employers—signaling broad appreciation for the work being done.
As Raymond Clark explains in the episode, this recognition didn't come from a narrow focus on construction metrics alone. The hub's leadership has consistently prioritized both the immediate needs of the build and the longer-term wellbeing of workers placed into roles across many sectors, not just construction.
"We put lots of people into jobs that had got nothing to do with construction because there we were and we were working and we needed to do something."
Raymond Clark — Operations Manager, Workforce Central Dunedin. A trained primary school teacher, Clark previously worked at the Department of Corrections before leading the South Island's only job and skills hub since its inception around 2017–2018. Under his direction, the organization has placed 312 people into employment and trained approximately 1,300 people in various skills over five and a half years of operation.
The diversity of these awards—spanning business partnerships, health and safety, and employment practices—demonstrates that Workforce Central Dunedin's approach extends beyond simply filling roles. The organization has built genuine relationships with employers, maintained rigorous pastoral care standards, and fostered inclusive hiring practices that align with cultural competency principles.
To understand how these recognition moments fit into the broader strategy of supporting workers throughout their journey—from training through employment to ongoing support—listen to the full conversation with Raymond Clark about the challenges and successes of operating the South Island's only job and skills hub.
See also
How many people has Workforce Central Dunedin placed into employment and trained?
Over five and a half years of operation, with three and a half years active on the hospital build, Workforce Central Dunedin has placed 312 people into employment and trained approximately 1,300 people in various skills.
What pastoral care and mental health services does Workforce Central Dunedin provide on site?
Workforce Central Dunedin provides a workplace nurse who visits once weekly to screen workers for blood pressure, eye testing, and muscle pain. The hub also connects workers with mental health support and other health services as needed.
What challenges exist in training apprentices on time-limited construction contracts?
Contractors struggle to take on apprentices because the average lifespan of contracts on the hospital build is about eight months, and contractors may not be able to commit to the full duration of an apprenticeship within such a short timeframe.