Taskforce focusing on jobs for young

Communities were "screaming out" for tradespeople, and parents and educators were doing young people a "great disservice" by only encouraging them to get a degree, Otorohanga mayor and Mayors Taskforce for Jobs chairman Dale Williams told a group in Dunedin this week.

He talked, as part of the Otago Careers Festival, to about 50 people about how his Waikato town had achieved zero youth unemployment, and how any community could accomplish similar goals.

Eight years ago, some of Otorohanga's employers started a programme to help manage young people's transitional period once they left school, by assisting them into work or training.

A trade training centre was established to provide training based on what skills employers in the area needed.

It was a win-win for young people and employers, who needed help plugging a skills shortage.

Nationally, about 33% of apprentices completed their course in five years, compared to 96% of apprentices in Otorohanga who completed theirs on time.

Along with zero youth unemployment, the town also experienced a 75% drop in youth crime in the first two years of the programme, and there was now better engagement between the community, the high school and employers.

Mr Williams believed any town or city could establish a similar programme and achieve positive results.

"If a community wants change, it's doable."

Young people wanted to work, and they needed to work, especially as the population aged, he said.

To help the situation, adults needed to understand the value of a trade, and place greater merit on people entering skilled trade training.

"We, as parents or educators or influencers of young people, are doing them a great disservice, and our communities a great disservice, by encouraging them to go and get a degree.Communities are screaming out for tradespeople. I'm a strong believer that young people should be encouraged to follow what is in their heart ... if you love something, you will be good at it," he said.

Employers also needed to play an expanded role in providing opportunities and pathways for young people, through offering work experience, after-school jobs and entry-level positions.

This allowed young people the opportunity to learn what a workplace was like and become more employable through their experiences.

"Young people are our future and a valuable resource to nurture and prepare for a successful life contributing to the community."

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull described Mr Williams' talk as "inspiring" and said it would "catalyse a number of conversations".

- ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz