Job Creation and Investing in Young People key priorities
October 12, 2009
Job creation, investing in young people key priorities, says Craig Foss.
Creating jobs and investing in young people are key aims for the East Coast region over the next year says Craig Foss, MP for Tukituki.
Speaking at today’s launch of the Ministry of Social Development’s 2009/10 Regional Plan hosted by the Hastings District Council, Mr Foss says extra emphasis is being placed on helping people made redundant get back into the workforce and getting first-time jobseekers onto the employment ladder.
Employment is one of the main priorities outlined in the Ministry’s regional plan, one of 11 being rolled out across New Zealand this month. They set out each region’s specific needs and development opportunities and how the Ministry is responding to these.
The other major areas being highlighted in the regional plans include helping young people thrive and to reach their full potential, keeping children safe and ensuring value for money.
‘We’ve had a tough year with many people and families in our communities affected by the recession,’ Mr Foss says.
‘A positive that’s emerged from the downturn though is how the East Coast community has teamed up with the Ministry to help put people back into work. I’m confident this coming year will see more of the same.’
Work and Income and the Hastings District Council established a Taskforce Green programme in August employing 30 job-seekers and are now working with the council on a Community Max project looking at employing up to 100 young people on a range of community based projects.
At the end of September there were 3,585 working-aged people receiving the unemployment benefit in the East Coast region, up from 1,596 at the same time last year.
Nationally the figure has risen to 60,660, an increase of over 37,000 on 12 months ago, but still below 2004 levels. In September 1999 over 148,000 people were on the unemployment benefit.
‘We are already creating jobs for our young people through Job Ops,’ says Mr Foss.
‘Since the scheme began in early August employers across the East Coast have embraced Job Ops with about 100 young people finding work. Right now there are 200 jobs available and Work and Income staff are matching these to suitable candidates.’
‘Community Max is also providing work opportunities with new jobs becoming available every day. So far 57 employer and community groups in the East Coast region have lodged expressions of interest with 180 young people already placed into Community Max projects.’
