15 December 2009
Le Va and the Ministry of Health are pleased to announce that applications for the Pacific Health Workforce Awards are now open!
Check out www.pacificawards.health.nz or text ‘awards’ [leave a space] and your email address to 310, and we’ll send you application forms.
Apply now!
If you undertook a health-related course of study in 2009 or plan to in 2010, these Awards are for you.
The Pacific Health Workforce Awards provides successful applicants with a contribution toward tuition fees and course-related costs for approved courses of study. The Awards are open to anyone who was enrolled in a health-related course of study in 2009 (Awards can also be used to reimburse fees paid already) or who plans to enrol in 2010.
For application forms visit our website: www.pacificawards.health.nz or, for more information, contact our scholarships coordinator Shana Malio via email or phone 09 301 3729.
Launching into success
On 20 November 2009, Le Va won the tender to manage and administer the Pacific Health Workforce Awards on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The inclusion of general health awards, together with Le Va's current national and regional scholarships portfolio, means Le Va can now provide coverage and support across the whole of health.
FROM LEFT: Robyn Shearer (CE, Te Pou), Hon Georgina Te Heuheu (Minister of Pacific Island Affairs), Dr Monique Faleafa (National Manager Le Va), Toni Roberts (Contract Manager, Ministry of Health) at the Pacific Health Workforce Awards launch.
The awards were officially launched at the Le Va Pacific Mental Health Scholarships ceremony and dinner on Friday, 11 December 2009 at Rydges Hotel, Auckland. The official launch was attended by Hon Georgina Te Heuheu, the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Dr Francis Agnew, Board member of Te Pou, Robyn Shearer, Chief Executive of Te Pou and Dr Api Talemaitoga, Chief Advisor Pacific Health with invited guests.
The Hon Georgina Te Heuheu and Dr Talemaitoga gave speeches at the launch followed by the awarding of the 2010 Le Va Mental Health Scholarships. Dr Talemaitoga's message follows:
"The Ministry of Health is excited to be working with Le Va as its administrator for the Pacific Health Workforce Awards Scheme. The scheme is part of the Ministry's Pacific Provider and Workforce Development Fund Programme of action for 2009/10 to 2011/12 (Serau) and will contribute to increasing the number of Pacific enrolments in health qualifications at a tertiary institution.
Serau signals a strong commitment by the Ministry to use the Pacific Provider and Workforce Development Fund to effectively address significant shortages in the Pacific health and disability workforce. This is a major contributor to future proofing an adequate supply of qualified Pacific health workers."
Exciting times for Le Va
From Dr Monique Faleafa, National Manager, Le Va.
“It is humbling for me and my team to have this opportunity to work closely with the Ministry of Health to manage these awards. It makes sense to have a whole-of-health approach to Pacific workforce development. We’ve always believed that if we have the right people, with the right skills, working in the right place at the right time, we will undoubtedly get the right services delivered, and most importantly achieve the right outcomes for our Pacific families.
I wish to thank Dr Talemaitoga and his team at the Ministry for having faith in Le Va. We will not disappoint. I also wish to acknowledge and thank Robyn Shearer, Dr Francis Agnew, and all our aiga here at Te Pou and WISE for the great support over the last few weeks. Last but not least, I acknowledge my small but dedicated team for delivering under pressure and to tight timelines. Fa’afetai tele lava!”
Page last updated: 14 April 2011