Youth employment boosted by Mid Canterbury Mayors Taskforce

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

A programme aimed at getting young people into jobs is proving successful in Mid Canterbury, despite youth unemployment rising in the wider Canterbury region.

The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme has helped place 47 young people employment in the Ashburton District since July - one of the highest rates in the South Island.

The success in Mid Canterbury comes as youth unemployment rose to its highest December quarter in Canterbury since 2018, according to figures from Stats NZ.

The Ashburton District Council ran a pilot of the Government-funded scheme to get youth into employment in February 2022, with a target of 12 youth employed by the end of June 2023.

It easily surpassed that figure and extended the programme for two years.

Compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said the contract aimed to deliver 38 people into jobs in the 2023-24 year.

With 47 already achieved, “it is likely that we will achieve far more than this”, Donaldson said.

An employment positive outcome is someone in permanent employment for more than 30 hours per week, she said.

There are 34 people in sustainable employment (longer than 90 days) and 13 haven’t reached the 90 days yet.

“We are currently working with 67 clients not in work and providing pastoral care for a further 60 in employment or education."

Employment coach Sharon Watson is leading the programme, which has 116 employers registered.

Of the 47 employed youths, 10 have gone into the primary industries, nine into retail, seven into hospitality, five into trades, and four into construction.

The programme is helping youth along the pathway to future employment, Donaldson said.

It assists with first aid certificates, health and safety training, forklift certificates, passenger, wheels, track and roller license endorsements, class 2, 4 and 5 licenses, traffic management training, and supports employers by providing professional development around communication techniques with staff, Donaldson said.

Rangitata MP James Meager said the success of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs in Ashburton showed the importance of local solutions for local problems.

“With unemployment starting to trend up as the economic lag starts to bite, it’s important we look to take a social investment approach to support programmes that actually deliver outcomes.”

The number of NEET (youth not in employment, education or training) increased from 9.6% to 12.2% in Canterbury compared to the previous year, and just under the 12.5% recorded in 2018.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston was concerned by the statistics showing the increase in youth unemployment.

“Young people are disproportionately impacted by tightening economic conditions,” she said.

“It is also worrying that 40,000 people under the age of 25 are currently on a Jobseeker benefit, an increase of 66% compared to six years ago.”

PHOTO: Seth Hosken on a building site with Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown after getting a building apprenticeship with JKF Homes through the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs in 2023.

*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air