More cash to target youth jobs in regions

The Government has promised more than $13 million to a youth employment scheme targeting regions with a disproportionate number of young people not in work, training, or education.

Employment Minister Willie Jackson said the first step in the broader employment strategy was to give $13.27m to the He Poutama Rangatahi initiative to help connect young people to real jobs identified by employers.

The He Poutama Rangatahi initiative was set up as a youth pathways programme under the former National Government, and targets at-risk youth in the regions.

This specific boost is aimed at Maori and Pasifika youth in Te Tai Tokerau, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Taira¯whiti and Hawke’s Bay.

These were the areas of greatest need, Jackson said.

‘‘The crisis of entrenched unemployment is real for many rangatahi and their communities.

‘‘We have to work harder to address this reality, because the demography of our nation is changing and rangatahi like these will be the future of our economy,’’ he said.

Communities were eager to support their youth not in employment, education or training (Neets) into sustained employment ‘‘and this Government has got their backs’’.

Jackson said he would travel to some of these regions to engage with people on the ground, and hear about their challenges, hopes and aspirations.

‘‘We will support them to lead the solutions targeted to individuals and their circumstances,’’ he said.

‘‘Fundamental to this approach will be building a kete of tightly woven pastoral care around individuals.

‘‘This reflects the hinaki model from Te Ao Ma¯ori – that is, weaving different strands together utilising local resources to build a net of tautoko that is hard to slip out of.’’

Getting youth work-ready would also ensure they could take advantage of new opportunities expected created in the regions.

‘‘Providing our rangatahi with pathways to sustained employment will help to strengthen communities, improve living standards and reduce child poverty,’’ Jackson said.

WORK FOR DOLE UNION SUPPORT

job to be

This announcement followed talk of a ‘‘work-for-the-dole’’ scheme, initially proposed by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones.

While Jones had talked about the prospect of this type of scheme, however, it was not official Government policy.

When the idea of the scheme was floated following the election, the policy’s details were scarce but involved compelling long-term unemployed young people into new work opportunities in the regions.

It would differ from traditional work-for-dole schemes in that they would be paid the minimum wage, not just their regular benefit.

Meanwhile, First Union said it supported the rangatahi initiative.

Union kaumatua Syd Keepa said rangatahi in the regions had been neglected for too long.

‘‘Contrary to the views of some, our rangatahi are not lazy, they want to work but many of them and their whanau have been locked out of employment for two or even three generations,’’ Keepa said.

‘‘I understand that this programme builds on the He Poutama Rangatahi initiative that was announced by the previous government last year but we have seen little evidence of it since then.’’

It was good to see the new Government and new minister would develop the programme further, and put in the energy to make it a success.

First Union represents workers in forestry, horticulture and other industries. It has a strong member presence in Te Taitokerau, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Taira¯whiti and Hawke’s Bay where the initial programme will be based.