Innovative technology hub coming to South Invercargill

South Invercargill is set to become the new permanent home for Your Corps, a technology education provider that is experiencing rapid growth due to the demand for their programmes.

The Grace Street Project is thrilled to have Your Corps as a foundation tenant. Your Corps are leaders in Southland in addressing computer illiteracy and providing technology education opportunities to young people in our region.

One of the key objectives of the Grace Street Project is to deliver our young people new opportunities and pathways. Janette Malcom from the Grace Street Project believes that “Technology is a foundation skill for the future. And we’ve seen that a hub such as this can engage our rangatahi and connect them with a much more optimistic future. This will provide Southland with future skills for our current and new industries.”

Malcom said, “The Grace Street Project is enthusiastic to partner with Your Corps as we can see the impact they are already having in the community. This technology hub aligns with one of our key objectives, which is to grow possibilities and help people expand their vision of what’s possible.”

James Wards founder of Your Corps believes the Grace Street Project will be the jewel in the crown for South Invercargill and is excited to be involved. “Our technology hub will have a substantial focus on youth and technology, but it will be for everyone. This is something for all of Southland to be proud of.”

The demand for the services provided by Your Corp has been extraordinary, Wards explains. “We started out offering our programme once a month and that has grown to once a week. The technology hub at Grace Street will allow us to run our programme six days a week, with 32 computers operating. Our challenge has been finding a reliable and consistent space that we can call home.”

The partnership between the Grace Street Project and Your Corps will ensure there is a dedicated space in the community hub focused on not only providing access to technology but wrapping the education around it too. “Lots of our kids don’t have access to computers for whatever reason. I’ve been surprised at how many rangatahi arrive at our events and don’t know how to use a computer. We are providing resources and the expertise that schools don’t have access to.”

Craig Taylor, Principal of Aurora College hopes that the technology hub will be a place where youth can feel comfortable and develop their IT knowledge. “IT and gaming is an authentic way to mix with like-minded youth. It will be a wonderful addition to the Grace Street project and not just for young people but for the whole community.”

The Grace Street Project has raised almost $2.9 million to date. A further $1.6 million was required before construction could commence in October this year. By giving opportunities to our community now, we see it as an investment not only in the future of our region but also in the future of the Invercargill economy.

Janette Malcom from the Grace Street Project believes that “Technology is a foundation skill for the future. And we’ve seen that a hub such as this can engage our rangatahi and connect them with a much more optimistic future. This will provide Southland with future skills for our current and new industries.”