Youth Employment News
WAIROA COLLEGE
Denise Eaglesome has been involved with the Wairoa College since 2002 under contract by MSD and has put 40 plus students into apprentices locally, nationally and in the army. Denise has overseen a number of initiatives helping youth get into the workforce. For example the Trades Academy was set up where students spend 3 days at school doing literacy and numeracy as well as any specialist subjects relating to their trade of choice and trade units. In conjunction with this they spend 2 days in the workforce with local employers gaining practical skills. The academy has been going for the last 3 years and has given many young people the opportunity they have needed to get jobs and/or further training.
Another initiative which has given youth valuable access to skills and visibility to an industry is the Hairdressing Programme. A salon is hired for 3 hours a week and 14 students (Year 12 and 13) gain practical skills with an experienced hairdresser and also complete unit standards which are purchased from EIT.
Denise also manages the Gateway programme which opens opportunities for students and is involved with a CACTUS programme which is an army influenced youth development programme for 12-17 year olds. The programme involves 1 hour of physical challenges and fitness 3 mornings a week (6am-7am) for 2 terms (16 weeks). This has had major impact on the students involved.
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