The New Zealand Herald

Teen workers take Covid hit

Part-time work scarce for Auckland high schoolers – but plenty have a ‘side hustle’

- Kirsty Wynn

High-school students in Auckland are less likely to have a part-time job than those in the regions, a new study reveals. The research by online learning platform LearnCoach found 42 per cent of Auckland students had a parttime job when in high school.

This compared to 56 per cent of students outside Auckland employed part-time.

But Dave Cameron from LearnCoach said the lower part-time employment in Auckland wasn’t because teens were less willing, but because of the impact of Covid-19.

The study of 2000 NCEA level one, two, and three students across the country, found students in Auckland had struggled most to find part-time work last year.

“Auckland was harder hit with lockdowns and uncertaint­y and we have seen that especially in cafe and restaurant work which are the go-to jobs for students,” Cameron said.

“It is the same with retail, where businesses are more likely to give available hours to a full-time employee rather than employing a student.”

Just over 28 per cent had a “side hustle” that could include selling clothes and crafts on social media such as Instagram and Facebook.

“You do get young kids putting things on Insta and making money, which you never used to have.”

Cameron said this was supported by the 32 per cent of students surveyed who said they wanted more focus at school on how to launch a small business.

“They want their classes to reflect what they are doing in their lives and so there was a decent number who want to know how to turn a sidehustle into a business.”

Auckland teens were also challenged by traffic woes and getting to and from a part-time job without it affecting their schoolwork or sleep.

“A lot have struggled to find parttime work that they can get to easily after school but that also has them home at a decent hour so they can do schoolwork or rest.”

Cameron said the 2021 student survey was to hear the voices of current NCEA students nationally, covering key areas such as relationsh­ips, learning styles, subjects, personal life, and future career visions.

An overarchin­g theme was the changes and shift in education, coming in and out of lockdown.

LearnCoach also wanted to get informatio­n so parents and teachers had a better understand­ing of their children and students.

A key finding was the impact Covid-19 had on career paths.

Pre-pandemic, LearnCoach found 52.9 per cent had a clear career path.

Following on from this, four out of 10 students (41.7 per cent) either pivoted or completely changed their career plans as a result of Covid-19.

“A lot of students knew what they wanted to do but because of the impact of Covid-19 on certain industries have changed their minds or decided on further study.

“The number of students who want to go on to university or do further study has increased because of Covid-19.”

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