Leading Auckland employers have been recognised for their commitment to employing and developing Auckland youth at the inaugural ‘Young at Heart’ Youth Employer Pledge Awards. 

The awards, which were presented on 26 November at Crowne Plaza Hotel in central Auckland, recognise the efforts of businesses that have signed Youth Employer Pledges, making the commitment to employ Auckland’s young talent to grow their future workforce and business. 

Rainbow’s End was named as Auckland Youth Employer of the Year, with its youth friendly approach to recruitment, track record of employing young people and successful training and development programmes helping secure the top award. 

Other businesses honoured at the Young at Heart event were: 

• JobFEST Exhibitor 2015 - The Just Group
• Industry Leadership - Intercontinental Hotels Group
• School Engagement and Work Experience - McDonalds Restaurants NZ
• Youth In-Work Mentoring - Downer NZ
• Maori and Pacifica Diversity - Aurecon
• Local Youth Employer - The Warehouse
• Youth Induction and Development - Xero
• Youth Employment Programme Award -  Domino’s Pizza New Zealand Ltd
• Innovative Youth Employer – SKYCITY 

A commitment to Auckland's youth

The Youth Employer Pledge is delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED) as part of the Auckland Council Youth Connections programme, and is generously supported by The Tindall Foundation. 

The pledge is a key initiative in Auckland’s Youth Employment Plan, which exists to get more of Auckland’s young talent into work and career pathways. 

More than thirty Auckland businesses have joined the Youth Employer Pledge programme to date, pledging 365 youth employment opportunities. Six businesses have also received support to recruit an additional 173 youth for local roles.  

Mayor Len Brown commends businesses that have made the commitment to youth by signing up to a pledge: “I am thrilled to see such great progress through Youth Employer Pledge partnerships, which have led to opportunities for young Aucklanders.

“Congratulations to all the award winners, and to all the businesses that have shown their commitment to Auckland’s youthful talent."