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Scoop
15 minutes ago
- Business
- Scoop
Support Young People Before They Go On A Benefit, Mayors Say
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Two Canterbury mayors say the government shouldn't tamper with their youth job programme. Two Canterbury mayors say the government shouldn't tamper with their youth job programme. The government is targeting getting young people off Jobseeker Support, which has led to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) changing its funding criteria for the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme, a youth employment scheme. But Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said the programme helps support school leavers into employment so they don't end up on a benefit in the first place. 'Here's a solution, if you're worried about young people going on a benefit, put more resourcing into MTFJ,' Mackle said. The jobs programme helps young people aged 16-25 into work through driver licensing, career advice and guidance, interview skills, preparing CVs, work experience and transport. The Kaikōura MTFJ programme's funding is set to be slashed from $260,000 to $100,000 for the next 12 months from July 1. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the Hurunui MTFJ programme is also facing a funding cut, but didn't want to give a figure. Black said young people needed fulfilment, so getting them into employment was essential. The mayors were responding to a comment from Social Development Minister Louise Upston in a statement following last month's Budget. 'Recent forecasts show that people under the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support will spend an average of 18 or more years on a benefit over their lifetimes,' Upston said. Young people are eligible for Jobseeker Support from age 18. The government plans to introduce parental means testing for 18- and 19-year-olds in a bid to push more unemployed young people into work. MSD group general manager insights Fleur McLaren said modelling in 2023 suggested Jobseeker clients under age 25 were likely to spend an average 18.2 future years on a benefit, compared to an estimated 12.2 future years in 2017. She said it was due to several factors, including a challenging economic outlook, complex issues such as mental health, and the difficulty getting off the benefit. MSD is basing its MTFJ funding for the next 12 months, from 1 July, on the number of 18- to 24-year-olds on Jobseeker Support. Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said it will take time for the economy to fully recover. 'With every recession, it takes a while to recover, but there's always a couple green shoots coming through and we can see that in the primary sector.' Te Hā o Mātauranga (Learning in Kaikōura) holds the MTFJ contract for the Kaikōura District Council. 'One of my concerns is that our government seems to be leaving it to families to stop their young people entering the benefit system, rather than helping young people to gain employability skills and find work,' Te Hā operations lead Vicki Gulleford said. She said young people started leaving school from the age of 16 but there are few options. There is no tertiary education in Kaikōura and polytechs do not offer student accommodation to under-18s. Gulleford said there needed to be support from families, employers and the wider community to help Kaikōura youth find a pathway. 'We have heard from different youth over the years that they will go away, that Kaikōura doesn't hold a future employment pathway for them. 'But their hearts will always hold Kaikōura as home, and hopefully we see them find a way back here in the future.'
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Support Young People Before They Go On A Benefit, Mayors Say
Two Canterbury mayors say the government shouldn't tamper with their youth job programme. The government is targeting getting young people off Jobseeker Support, which has led to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) changing its funding criteria for the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme, a youth employment scheme. But Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said the programme helps support school leavers into employment so they don't end up on a benefit in the first place. ''Here's a solution, if you're worried about young people going on a benefit, put more resourcing into MTFJ,'' Mackle said. The jobs programme helps young people aged 16-25 into work through driver licensing, career advice and guidance, interview skills, preparing CVs, work experience and transport. The Kaikōura MTFJ programme's funding is set to be slashed from $260,000 to $100,000 for the next 12 months from July 1. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the Hurunui MTFJ programme is also facing a funding cut, but didn't want to give a figure. Black said young people needed fulfilment, so getting them into employment was essential. The mayors were responding to a comment from Social Development Minister Louise Upston in a statement following last month's Budget. ''Recent forecasts show that people under the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support will spend an average of 18 or more years on a benefit over their lifetimes,'' Upston said. Young people are eligible for Jobseeker Support from age 18. The government plans to introduce parental means testing for 18- and 19-year-olds in a bid to push more unemployed young people into work. MSD group general manager insights Fleur McLaren said modelling in 2023 suggested Jobseeker clients under age 25 were likely to spend an average 18.2 future years on a benefit, compared to an estimated 12.2 future years in 2017. She said it was due to several factors, including a challenging economic outlook, complex issues such as mental health, and the difficulty getting off the benefit. MSD is basing its MTFJ funding for the next 12 months, from 1 July, on the number of 18- to 24-year-olds on Jobseeker Support. Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said it will take time for the economy to fully recover. ''With every recession, it takes a while to recover, but there's always a couple green shoots coming through and we can see that in the primary sector.'' Te Hā o Mātauranga (Learning in Kaikōura) holds the MTFJ contract for the Kaikōura District Council. ''One of my concerns is that our government seems to be leaving it to families to stop their young people entering the benefit system, rather than helping young people to gain employability skills and find work,'' Te Hā operations lead Vicki Gulleford said. She said young people started leaving school from the age of 16 but there are few options. There is no tertiary education in Kaikōura and polytechs do not offer student accommodation to under-18s. Gulleford said there needed to be support from families, employers and the wider community to help Kaikōura youth find a pathway. ''We have heard from different youth over the years that they will go away, that Kaikōura doesn't hold a future employment pathway for them.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Leading Economist Delivers Positive Outlook For Hurunui
Press Release – Hurunui District Council Key insights presented at the meeting for the year to March 2024 showed agriculture, forestry and fishing made up over 30% of local jobsmore than six times the national average. With NZs strong reliance on primary industries as key contributors to … New data shows Hurunui's employment landscape remains firmly grounded in its rural roots. Infometrics economist and CEO Brad Olsen visited Hurunui District last week, speaking at a public meeting in the Omihi Hall on Tuesday and visiting Hurunui businesses on Wednesday. Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black said the visit, which was organised by the Hurunui Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme, aimed to offer valuable insights into the district's economic landscape, along with national and global trends, and to highlight innovation within Hurunui businesses in adapting to an evolving business environment. 'The public meeting represented a broad cross-section of our community, from accountants to wineries, the farming sector and cottage businesses.' Key insights presented at the meeting for the year to March 2024 showed agriculture, forestry and fishing made up over 30% of local jobs—more than six times the national average. Tourism also played a strong supporting role, with accommodation and food services employing a larger share in Hurunui, at just under 10%, than the national average at around 6.5%. With New Zealand's strong reliance on primary industries as key contributors to GDP, Hurunui is well positioned for growth. 'It was really positive to hear that in terms of jobs activity, Hurunui is currently ranking as the 7th fastest growing district for employment across New Zealand,' Mayor Black said. Over the last quarter to the year March 2024, filled jobs increased by 0.5%, with a continued positive increase over the last decade. From about 4,750 filled positions in 2013, the number has steadily climbed to over 6,100 jobs by 2025, a growth of nearly 30%. Olsen noted youth employment continues to be under-represented, both locally and nationally, representing a tougher climate for young New Zealanders. Hurunui MTFJ Employment Coordinator Chris Sutherland said: 'It was encouraging to hear Brad advocate for businesses to embrace the fresh perspectives that our young people can offer to an organisation, while also promoting the advantages of succession planning in light of our aging population demographic.' Hurunui MTFJ has successfully placed 55 young people into jobs, exceeding its target of 20 placements. 'Hurunui MTFJ has been truly effective in supporting our young people, creating opportunities through our strong community networks,' Mayor Black said. On Wednesday, Mayor Black and the Hurunui MTFJ team took Olsen on a visit to some of those businesses backing Hurunui youth, including Proseed and Arthur Burke, as well as to Heartland Homes with Vicki Foster, chair of Amberley NZ, offering a local business perspective, a visit to residents at Amberley Country Estate, and to Amberley Trader as a newly established business in the town. 'Brad commented that he learnt so much by being on the ground and speaking with our community, which adds value to his national and global perspective,' Mayor Black said.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Leading Economist Delivers Positive Outlook For Hurunui
New data shows Hurunui's employment landscape remains firmly grounded in its rural roots. Infometrics economist and CEO Brad Olsen visited Hurunui District last week, speaking at a public meeting in the Omihi Hall on Tuesday and visiting Hurunui businesses on Wednesday. Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black said the visit, which was organised by the Hurunui Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme, aimed to offer valuable insights into the district's economic landscape, along with national and global trends, and to highlight innovation within Hurunui businesses in adapting to an evolving business environment. 'The public meeting represented a broad cross-section of our community, from accountants to wineries, the farming sector and cottage businesses.' Key insights presented at the meeting for the year to March 2024 showed agriculture, forestry and fishing made up over 30% of local jobs—more than six times the national average. Tourism also played a strong supporting role, with accommodation and food services employing a larger share in Hurunui, at just under 10%, than the national average at around 6.5%. With New Zealand's strong reliance on primary industries as key contributors to GDP, Hurunui is well positioned for growth. 'It was really positive to hear that in terms of jobs activity, Hurunui is currently ranking as the 7th fastest growing district for employment across New Zealand,' Mayor Black said. Over the last quarter to the year March 2024, filled jobs increased by 0.5%, with a continued positive increase over the last decade. From about 4,750 filled positions in 2013, the number has steadily climbed to over 6,100 jobs by 2025, a growth of nearly 30%. Olsen noted youth employment continues to be under-represented, both locally and nationally, representing a tougher climate for young New Zealanders. Hurunui MTFJ Employment Coordinator Chris Sutherland said: 'It was encouraging to hear Brad advocate for businesses to embrace the fresh perspectives that our young people can offer to an organisation, while also promoting the advantages of succession planning in light of our aging population demographic.' Hurunui MTFJ has successfully placed 55 young people into jobs, exceeding its target of 20 placements. 'Hurunui MTFJ has been truly effective in supporting our young people, creating opportunities through our strong community networks,' Mayor Black said. On Wednesday, Mayor Black and the Hurunui MTFJ team took Olsen on a visit to some of those businesses backing Hurunui youth, including Proseed and Arthur Burke, as well as to Heartland Homes with Vicki Foster, chair of Amberley NZ, offering a local business perspective, a visit to residents at Amberley Country Estate, and to Amberley Trader as a newly established business in the town. 'Brad commented that he learnt so much by being on the ground and speaking with our community, which adds value to his national and global perspective,' Mayor Black said.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Economist To Offer Support For Hurunui Youth
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Infometrics economist Brad Olsen will visit the Hurunui district later this month to support youth into employment. Hurunui's mayor is hoping to get some Budget insights while celebrating the success of a youth employment scheme. The Hurunui Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme will host Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen during Budget week in a bid to inspire employers to take a punt on young people. ''Brad has a belief that if we can nurture the minds of young people we can set them on a pathway to success,'' Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said. The MTFJ programme is funded by the Ministry of Social Development. Youth (16 to 24-year-olds) have borne the brunt of the economic downturn, with youth unemployment hitting 23 percent nationally in December, compared to an overall unemployment rate of 5.1%, according to Stats NZ. Mr Olsen will spend two days in the Hurunui district meeting with employers and staff at Enterprise North Canterbury, the economic development arm of the Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils. He will speak at a public meeting hosted by the Hurunui MTFJ at the Omihi Hall, 21km north of Amberley, on Tuesday, May 27, from 7pm. ''It is during Budget week, so Brad will be delivering some of his key messages,'' Mrs Black said. Mr Olsen was previously hosted by the MTFJ programme in March 2023. Mrs Black said the MTFJ programme helped to break down barriers for young people entering the workforce. The Hurunui MTFJ programme has placed 53 young people into sustainable employment, more than double its target to June 30. The Government committed to extending programme to June 2026, by announcing $9 million funding in August last year. But Mrs Black said it remained uncertain how much funding would be available for the Hurunui MTFJ programme beyond next month. She said there is growing pressure on the funding as more councils wanted to join the scheme. ''It is a one-year contract, so it makes it really difficult from an employment perspective. ''If you go back to the grassroots of why and when it was developed in 2000, it was because rural mayors saw there was a need for something to support young people in a rural context. ''It was developed for rural communities which don't have the same access to services which are available in larger urban centres.'' For communities in the Hurunui district, like Amberley, Culverden and Hanmer Springs, the nearest Ministry of Social Development office is in Rangiora and young people often did not have the ability to drive to appointments. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
