Youth Employment News
MANUKAU CITY COUNCIL

Dyan Takao is a mentor for the Cadetship Programme at Manukau City Council and has seen firsthand many far reaching benefits and successes as the Programme continues to grow. Manukau has been involved with the “In Work Support and Mentoring Cadetship Programme” led by Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) since 2002.

The primary objective of the programme is to reduce the dependence of selected beneficiaries on financial support from WINZ. The programme sponsors, the Ministry of Social Development, Manukau City Council and the Tertiary Education Commission work together to achieve this by equipping the participants (cadets) with the knowledge, skills and work experience required to secure and maintain meaningful, long term employment.

This year’s programme commenced with a Powhiri on the 18th May 2009. From 150 applicants, 40 were shortlisted to participate in an assessment centre where specific attributes, qualities and skill level were assessed, with a final selection of 13 cadets. The Cadetship Programme has enjoyed increasing success over the period 2002-2008 with an average of 75% of the cadets securing jobs within Manukau City Council, and or external of Council. Feedback from managers of the cadets this year has been very positive and one cadet has already secured a fixed term contract within the finance team at MCC.

CONTACT: Dyan Takao Dyan.Takao@manukau.govt.nz

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