The Manaiakalani Education Trust and Auckland Council will work closely to enhance educational and employment outcomes for Auckland’s children and young people in an agreement signed yesterday.

The agreement formalises the working relationship between the trust and council and explores the open exchange of information, championing of the Manaiakalani programme and the provision of resource support such as staff expertise.

The Manaiakalani Education Trust supports the work of 11 schools in Pt. England, Glen Innes, and Panmure to use digital learning and technology to improve the readiness of children and young people for further education and employment. It also works with the families of the students involved with the programme to improve their digital literacy.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has hailed an agreement for a closer relationship between the trust and council as a big step forward for education in the communities the trust serves.

"Access to engaging and contemporary 21st century learning environments is important for all Aucklanders. The Manaiakalani Education Trust is working to bring those opportunities to kids who would otherwise miss out,” he says.

"I am excited by the opportunity for Auckland Council to pool resources and share information with the trust to support digital learning for children and young people."

Manaiakalani Education Trust chair, Pat Snedden says digital learning supports a more engaging learning environment, helping to accelerate learning outcomes.

"This is especially important where children and young people start school with below average literacy and numeracy," he says.

"Digital technology is the foundation for business success in the 21st century. Technology offers our children and young people more than just jobs; it offers them the opportunity to build careers."

Ensuring that Auckland has an educated and skilled workforce is a key component of Auckland’s Economic Development Strategy launched in September 2012.