FOCUS ON YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
Over the weekend I attended the National Party conference in Christchurch. The highlight of the conference was John Key's address and in particular his focus on youth unemployment. I know that this is a concern in my electorate and I am confident that Johns announcement will benefit our community.
We all know that unemployment has skyrocketed since the recession started. Of particular concern has been the rise in Youth unemployment which has quadrupled from 4000 last June to 17,000 this June. In his speech John said that "It is absolutely critical that we provide young people with adequate development opportunities. If we don’t we risk diminishing the potential of an entire generation of New Zealanders.
As a result the Prime Minister announced that the Government will spend $152 million to create work, education and training opportunities for up to 16,900 unemployed youth. The largest amount of money, $52.7 million is to expand and implement the election promised Youth Guarantee. This will create 2000 new places for 16 and 17 year olds not engaged in school to study at polytechs.
$20 million will be spent on the new "Job Ops" programme to give 4000 low skilled youth a wage subsidy of $5000 over six months to get them into jobs. A further $40.3 million scheme to be known as "Community Max" is a really exciting opportunity and one which I think my electorate can get its teeth into. Community Max will get 3000 people places in community programmes which pay the minimum wage for 30 hours a week and a $1250 training payment paid to the community group.
Overall the Prime Minister outlined 9 projects targeted at Youth unemployment. Others, in addition to what I have already mentioned, include: $5.3 million to encourage developers of cycleway projects to hire 500 young people. $2.6 million for extra training places in the defence forces; $19.1 million for 1250 more places in six week military style training programmes; $8 million for 700 more students in polytechnics; $4 million for 1600 new places in summer research scholarships to help tertiary students over the summer holidays; Overall it is estimated that this suite of packages will provide 16,900 opportunities for young people to beat the rising tide of youth unemployment.
I can see these programmes having a huge impact. My challenge is to employers and community groups to seek out how they can utilise these new tools to help our Youth into Jobs. I am particularly proud of the opportunities that will present with "Community Max". This is a completely new programme and I am confident it will help to connect young people to the positive work that goes on in our community.
Over the weekend I attended the National Party conference in Christchurch. The highlight of the conference was John Key's address and in particular his focus on youth unemployment. I know that this is a concern in my electorate and I am confident that Johns announcement will benefit our community.
We all know that unemployment has skyrocketed since the recession started. Of particular concern has been the rise in Youth unemployment which has quadrupled from 4000 last June to 17,000 this June. In his speech John said that "It is absolutely critical that we provide young people with adequate development opportunities. If we don’t we risk diminishing the potential of an entire generation of New Zealanders.
As a result the Prime Minister announced that the Government will spend $152 million to create work, education and training opportunities for up to 16,900 unemployed youth. The largest amount of money, $52.7 million is to expand and implement the election promised Youth Guarantee. This will create 2000 new places for 16 and 17 year olds not engaged in school to study at polytechs.
$20 million will be spent on the new "Job Ops" programme to give 4000 low skilled youth a wage subsidy of $5000 over six months to get them into jobs. A further $40.3 million scheme to be known as "Community Max" is a really exciting opportunity and one which I think my electorate can get its teeth into. Community Max will get 3000 people places in community programmes which pay the minimum wage for 30 hours a week and a $1250 training payment paid to the community group.
Overall the Prime Minister outlined 9 projects targeted at Youth unemployment. Others, in addition to what I have already mentioned, include: $5.3 million to encourage developers of cycleway projects to hire 500 young people. $2.6 million for extra training places in the defence forces; $19.1 million for 1250 more places in six week military style training programmes; $8 million for 700 more students in polytechnics; $4 million for 1600 new places in summer research scholarships to help tertiary students over the summer holidays; Overall it is estimated that this suite of packages will provide 16,900 opportunities for young people to beat the rising tide of youth unemployment.
I can see these programmes having a huge impact. My challenge is to employers and community groups to seek out how they can utilise these new tools to help our Youth into Jobs. I am particularly proud of the opportunities that will present with "Community Max". This is a completely new programme and I am confident it will help to connect young people to the positive work that goes on in our community.
