MEDIA RELEASE 7 May 2026
Work-based learning provider Careerforce is reminding eligible workplaces to act quickly, as applications for this funding round of the Peer Support Training Grant close at the end of June 2026.
Funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, the grant supports people employed in the mental health and addictions sector to build skills and gain formal qualifications. It aims to grow the peer support workforce and strengthen the voice of those with lived experience.
The initiative was developed in response to the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, which called for a resilient, diverse, and sustainable workforce that reflects the communities it serves. The inquiry also highlighted the importance of expanding peer support within multidisciplinary teams.
Since launching, the grant has seen strong uptake across the sector, with many employers and employees already benefiting from the funding to build capability.
Mere Tavai, Peer Support Service Manager at Emerge Aotearoa, says the impact has been significant:
“The grant for the Peer Support Level 4 has made a huge difference to my three kaimahi who applied and received the funding. It removed the financial burden and gave them the incentive to work towards their qualification, while supporting them to build the skills they need in their roles.”
The grant covers enrolment fees for the Careerforce Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing Peer Support (valued at $2,250), with funding still available ahead of the closing date.
Careerforce General Manager Employer Partnerships, Penny Rogers, says the programme is designed to support both professional capability and personal wellbeing:
“Our training programmes equip workers to support others safely while drawing on their own lived experience. They also offer practical strategies that strengthen the worker’s own wellbeing.
“It’s encouraging to see so many already benefiting from these grants, and we urge others who are eligible to apply before applications close.”
To support the learning experience, all apprentices are paired with a Careerforce advisor. Mere says this support from Charlie Stanworth-Miller has been invaluable for her team:
“Charlie’s support has been hugely appreciated. She works alongside each kaimahi to enhance their individual skills and supports their preferred style of learning, which makes a real difference in achieving their goals.”
Full information about the Peer Support Training Grant, including eligibility criteria, is available on the Careerforce website. Employers enrolling learners into apprenticeship programmes may also be eligible for Apprenticeship Boost funding.
For all media enquiries please contact Careerforce via [email protected].
Careerforce supports employers across New Zealand’s health and wellbeing sectors to run workplace training programmes, allowing staff to achieve nationally recognised qualifications on the job. For more information, please see: www.careerforce.org.nz
Susan Tattersall