BENEFITS

The benefits of participating in this Taskforce are:

  • You have the opportunity to participate in the sole “Mayors-only” gathering in the country 
  • You have the opportunity to participate in regional meetings with other Taskforce Mayors, together with our partners from relevant government departments
  • You have the opportunity to trial new employment initiatives in your area
  • You will have access to potential funding for local initiatives through the Employment Catalyst Fund (a Tindall Foundation fund managed by the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs)
  • You have access to government funding through partnerships negotiated at the national level and in particular your Ministry of Social Development Regional Commissioner will work closely with you
  • You have the opportunity to support the Taskforce in its advocacy to government on nation-wide employment policies and programmes ... in the light of your local experience
  • You have the opportunity to meet quarterly with the Taskforce and the Ministers of Economic Development, Social Services and Employment, Youth Affairs, Local Government, Maori Development, Labour and other Ministers as appropriate
  • You have the opportunity to attend an annual meeting with the Heads of Government Departments in the relevant employment, training, and economic development areas
  • You have the opportunity to link with leading NZ businesses through our partnership with the NZ Business Council for Sustainability, Business New Zealand and the Council of Trade Unions
  • You will become a member of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs internet e-group
  • You, and your local projects, will be featured on the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs website
  • You will have access to the expertise of our Executive Officer (Jan Francis) and our contractors

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