A programme geared toward getting younger individuals into jobs is proving profitable in Mid Canterbury, regardless of youth unemployment rising within the wider Canterbury area.
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme has helped place 47 younger individuals employment within the Ashburton District since July – one of many highest charges within the South Island.
The success in Mid Canterbury comes as youth unemployment rose to its highest December quarter in Canterbury since 2018, in keeping with figures from Stats NZ.
The Ashburton District Council ran a pilot of the Authorities-funded scheme to get youth into employment in February 2022, with a goal of 12 youth employed by the top of June 2023.
It simply surpassed that determine and prolonged the programme for 2 years.
Compliance and improvement group supervisor Jane Donaldson mentioned the contract aimed to ship 38 individuals into jobs within the 2023/24 yr.
With 47 already achieved, “it’s possible that we’ll obtain excess of this”, Donaldson mentioned.
An employment constructive consequence is somebody in everlasting employment for greater than 30 hours per week, she mentioned.
There are 34 individuals in sustainable employment (longer than 90 days) and 13 haven’t reached the 90 days but.
“We’re at present working with 67 purchasers not in work and offering pastoral take care of an extra 60 in employment or schooling.“
Employment coach Sharon Watson is main the programme, which has 116 employers registered.
Of the 47 employed youths, 10 have gone into the first industries, 9 into retail, seven into hospitality, 5 into trades, and 4 into building.
The programme helps youth alongside the pathway to future employment, Donaldson mentioned.
It assists with first assist certificates, well being and security coaching, forklift certificates, passenger, wheels, observe and curler license endorsements, class 2, 4 and 5 licenses, visitors administration coaching, and helps employers by offering skilled improvement round communication strategies with workers, Donaldson mentioned.
Rangitata MP James Meager mentioned the success of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs in Ashburton confirmed the significance of native options for native issues.
“With unemployment beginning to development up because the financial lag begins to chew, it’s vital we glance to take a social funding method to help programmes that truly ship outcomes.”
The variety of NEET (youth not in employment, schooling or coaching) elevated from 9.6% to 12.2% in Canterbury in comparison with the earlier yr, and slightly below the 12.5% recorded in 2018.
Social Growth and Employment Minister Louise Upston was involved by the statistics displaying the rise in youth unemployment.
“Younger individuals are disproportionately impacted by tightening financial circumstances,” Upston mentioned.
“Additionally it is worrying that 40,000 individuals below the age of 25 are at present on a Jobseeker profit, a rise of 66% in comparison with six years in the past.”
By Jonathan Leask