A member of the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme, Mr Cadogan is working with five government agencies and community groups to reduce youth unemployment by identifying those needing jobs earlier and helping them become attractive to employers in the Clutha district.
"It's not an employment issue, it's a social problem. There's no shortage of jobs in Clutha.
"The young ones are the ones that have been caught unprepared. They're all good kids who deserve a better chance."
The task force was created in 2000 with seven mayors and now has 64 involved.
It aims to work with Government ministers, officials, agencies, community groups and the private sector to reduce youth unemployment and improve youth engagement in the community.
Mr Cadogan is a member of the "core group" which meets once a month.
The Clutha District Council contributes about $1500 each year and a further $12,000 has been budgeted for the programme in the 2011-12 annual plan for the Mayor's attendance at MTFJ executive meetings and sponsorship of a young Maori from the Clutha district to take part in the Rangatahi Leadership Programme. The programme aims to improve the education, employment and training outcomes for young Maori by each mayor selecting one youth to take part.
In July, Mr Cadogan met representatives from the dairy industry, and hopes to meet beef and sheep industry representatives in the coming weeks.
Eighteen-year-old Philippa Henderson, of Balclutha, said she finished school at the end of last year and struggled to find a job. Two years ago she worked on a sheep and beef farm through a school programme and enjoyed farm work. Through the task force, she was offered a job in July, left home, and began working on a dairy farm in Clydevale on July 11.
"I work with great people and I love working outdoors, I'm definitely an outdoors girl."
Her employers "couldn't be better" - the jobs means early morning starts and long days, but she is enjoying the challenge.
Her mother Kathleen said she and the rest of the family were proud of Philippa and were very thankful for the work the Mayor and government agencies had done for her.
Earlier this year, the Clutha Youth Forum was held at Telford where a working party was formed to look into ways they could help the youth of the district find employment.
