Empowering the Pasifika Workforce: Zeducation’s Partnership with Fulton Hogan
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 6
When you walk through a Fulton Hogan worksite, you’ll see hard hats, high-vis vests, and teams working hard to get the job done. But beyond the PPE and machinery, there are real people—many of them Pasifika—carrying dreams bigger than the job at hand.
Some dream of owning a home.
Some want to manage money better.
Others just want to feel confident enough to speak up in a team meeting.
That’s where Project Ikuna came in.
What Is Project Ikuna?
An Auckland Council and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) initiative, Project Ikuna is designed to deliver practical, culturally grounded, and life-changing workshops that not only upskill Pasifika workers but also strengthen their self-confidence and prepare them for the future of work. Recognising that many Pasifika workers are currently employed in roles most at risk of disruption from automation and emerging technologies, the programme also focuses on building future-ready capabilities. Fulton Hogan partnered with Zeducation to deliver these workshops to their diverse team, with a strong focus on supporting and elevating their Pasifika workforce.
The Sessions Delivered
Between April and May 2025, Zeducation delivered a series of six Project Ikuna workshops focused on both personal and professional development. Topics included Sustainability, Personal Wellbeing, Home Ownership, Assertiveness & Confidence, Conflict Management, and Money Confidence.
A total of 20 participants engaged in the programme, with 15 of them choosing to attend multiple sessions—some joining two, others up to four—highlighting the value they found in the content and the engagement they experienced under the guidance of our Zeducation facilitators.
These weren’t just one-off workshops. Learners walked away with micro-credentials, practical tools, and a renewed sense of confidence to thrive both in the workplace and in life.
✅ Participant Satisfaction Averages (Based on Survey Data Across All Sessions)
Over a two-month period, 20 participants attended multiple Project Ikuna workshops delivered by Zeducation.
To assess the effectiveness of the programme, Fulton Hogan conducted internal surveys alongside participant feedback. The results clearly highlighted the positive impact of Zeducation’s facilitation, with high engagement, culturally relevant delivery, and practical content that resonated deeply with their Pasifika workforce.
Feedback Statement | Average Score |
Facilitator explained in a way I understood | 97% |
Facilitator was passionate and knowledgeable | 98.2% |
Facilitation was culturally appropriate and inclusive | 97.7% |
I was able to learn and contribute | 97.7% |
I feel confident applying what I learned on the job or at home | 96.3% |
Overall experience rating | 96.8% |
Impact Highlights
✅ High Participation: Many learners attended more than one session, showing the value they placed in the training.
✅ Cultural Connection: With a majority of Pasifika participation (including Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Māori, and Cook Islander staff), the training resonated deeply with participants' lived experiences.
✅ Powerful Facilitation: Zeducation’s facilitators were praised for their relatability, cultural understanding, and inclusive, engaging delivery.
✅ Practical Transformation: From building confidence to managing money, every session provided life tools—not just workplace skills.
💬 What Participants Found Most Valuable
Here are some feedback from Fulton Hogan staff who completed the different Project Ikuna programmes with Zeducation.
🏠 Home Ownership
“That it is possible to buy my first home. There are ways to do it. Doing the work and be consistent.”
“Countless amounts of help and funds that I’m eligible for but wasn’t aware of.”
“Breaking down of home deposit and loan—very helpful.”
🌱 Sustainability
“The 5 S’s—this was new to me and I feel this is something that can really improve how we work onsite.”
“The 5-year plan. I’ve never actually thought about mapping that out until now.”
“Applying sustainability knowledge to daily life—it made sense.”
💬 Assertiveness & Confidence
“The values section—this was the first time I really thought about what I stand for.”
“Learning about communication styles and fixed vs growth mindset—it really changed the way I think.”
“I finally feel like I can speak up at work and not just stay quiet.”
😊 Personal Wellbeing
“Using the SMART model to set better goals. I’ve done goal setting before, but this helped me do it properly.”
“Learning how to deal with stress and control anxiety—I’ll use that straight away.”
“Colouring in and creating my own wellbeing model—so cool and different.”
🤝 Conflict Management
“Learning about different conflict styles and when to use them—it really helped me understand how to respond better.”
“Listening for content and feelings—this really stood out for me.”
“Loved the real scenarios—it helped connect the theory to my real work situations.”
What Fulton Hogan Said
“With the feedback and experience Fulton Hogan has had with Zeducation, we value what they bring and offer to our people. We’ve already set up future sessions for the second half of the year (2025).”
The collaboration didn’t just meet expectations—it inspired more. Fulton Hogan has already booked more Project Ikuna workshops with Zeducation, reinforcing the belief that culturally responsive training is not only needed but deeply impactful.
Why It Matters
When businesses invest in culturally relevant, strengths-based training, the benefits ripple across the organisation. Confidence grows. Communication improves. Teams thrive.
At Zeducation, we’re proud to be part of this journey—and we’re just getting started.
Interested in bringing Project Ikuna or other workforce development solutions to your team?Let’s chat. We’d love to support your people too.
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