KEY PARTNERS

These government agencies form the Officials Group which supports the work of theTaskforce at a senior level.

	The New Zealand Government and the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs has a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines how the two bodies will cooperate to achieve the goal of ensuring that all 15-19 year olds will be engaged in appropriate education, training, work, or other options which will lead to long term economic independence and well-being.
	The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development is a major business group. The Youth Employment Project, which it initiated, is an indication of its support of the Mayors Taskforce goal to ensure the end of youth unemployment. It has produced a booklet, called the Youth Employment Guide which shows businesses how to help stimulate youth employment, and encourage member companies to commit to and report against local employment or training targets. It also runs a youth specific section on its website to report on the progress of this project.
	The Council of Trade Unions has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs to share information and work collaboratively.
	Local Government New Zealand provides the legal umbrella and infrastructure support under which the Mayors Taskforce sits.
	The Ministry of Social Development is a co-chair of the Officials Group and provides some operational funding for the Taskforce. It also provides funding for Mayors' projects.
	Work and Income - The Regional Commisioners work at the local level with Mayors and Councils to provide funding for youth initiatives.
	The Department of Labour is a co-chair of the officials group and provides policy on labour market issues. They also provide some operational funding for the Taskforce.
	The Tindall Foundation provides philanthropic funding ($500k) for Mayors projects through the Employment Catalyst Fund.

OTHER SUPPORTERS

WHY MAYORS?

Mayors are:

Directly elected and they have a collective ability to speak to the whole community, take civic leadership and facilitate collaboration and genuine partnerships across all sectors
Passionate about their communities
Committed to providing opportunities for all their citizens to participate

WHY YOUTH?

Research shows those who make a successful transition from school to education, training and work have better life long outcomes.
NZ is suffering widespread skill and labour shortages so we need every young person to be fully engaged in our communities.
NZ needs to train its young to help fill our skills shortages.
The demand for entry and lower level skilled workers is also growing.
There is global competition for skilled labour.
Youth are an underutilised source of labour.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Taking Mayoral leadership to engage with government Ministers, officials, agencies, community groups and the private sector which have key roles in employment is the way the Taskforce works to achieve its vision. Partnerships with government agencies and Ministers provide the Taskforce with an opportunity to discuss policy issues and inform the policy making process, particularly to ensure that policy is relevant at the local level. Working across all sectors and encouraging collaboration between agencies ensures the most effective service delivery and efficient use of resources, currently through:

Increasing youth transition services, modern apprenticeships, industry trainees
Using Long Term Council Community Plans to engage locals
Working with central and local government officials to develop sound policies and projects
Using Mayors’ collective voice to lobby on behalf of youth employment
Recognising and using the power of the Mayor’s office