Ngati Porou has put a freeze on the number of rangatahi it sponsors to do courses in carpentry.
There are currently seven trainees learning the trade at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT).
But Ngati Porou chairperson Apirana Mahuika says there's no point in flooding the workplace with skilled workers if there aren't the jobs to match.
He says Te Runanganui keeps a careful watch on education programmes to ensure there's no over-supply.
Dr Mahuika says he's talked to EIT and told them to make this year the last for carpentry training for now.
The tribe's soon-to-be-launched Development Trust will try to put rangatahi on other apprenticeship courses, including plumbing and electrical trades.
