Forum posts to 'General Discussion'

Re: Youth & Unemployment in CHB

Richard — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:45:14 +1300

NZ Herald article on youth unemployment in Otorohanga. Well worth a read!

Otorohanga's success story

One of New Zealand's smallest local bodies, Otorohanga, claims one of the biggest honours any community could seek in a world recession - zero youth unemployment.

The small King Country district (population 9500) has maintained zero registered unemployment of people under age 25 since November 2006.

Thanks to a unique apprentice support system and 10 other youth initiatives, it also claims a 75 per cent reduction in the number of youths caught by police in the two years after the new initiatives began in 2005.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/small-business/news/article.cfm?c_id=85&objectid=10575842

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Youth & Unemployment in CHB

Shelley — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:44:08 +1200

In August, 74 young people aged between 18 and 24 were unemployed in Central Hawke's Bay, three times more than at the same time last year.
The Ministry of Social Development is very concerned as in 1992 when an unemployment spike occurred, many under 25's found themselves with no job - and many are still unemployed to this day...

This is a huge concern for Central Hawke's Bay - or it should be. WINZ and local youth mentors from EPIC Ministries (youth mentoring and support group) are working hard to get these young people skilled e.g. drivers licenses, cv's, general lifeskills. A lot of these young people are already skilled e.g. returning from university, educated school leavers, returning from their OE - but the job market has dried up.

So what should we do in CHB to stop a generation falling into the black hole of unemployment?

The government are offering money to subsidise employers and offer training incentives with one hand - but on the other hand funding for successful landbased private training establishments like local Bay Agriculture or Landbased Training (who actually teach the kids about farming and trades) has been cut. These PTEs have funding for maybe 10 young people each - but could easily sign up 30 or 50. Emergency response funding is not accessible to private businesses.

The government incentive like the Community Max scheme target NGOs (non-government organisations) who could take on 1-6 young people for a one off community project and the young people could be paid minimum wage and gain some skills. Other schemes offer military training - but only for limited places. What happens to the young person who misses out on that last funded place?? What happens if nobody in the community comes up with a community project? What if it is in the 'too hard' basket for many people who face their own daily dilemmas?

The latest government schemes last until end 2010. I've been canvassing organisations in our area for ideas for a major community project to get these kids working (or at least achieving something) - other districts have grabbed the idea with both hands - see www.hastingsdc.govt.nz - but the CHB community is yet to get going. Maybe this takes some time? Maybe it is the perception that these under 25s are the bottom of the barrel and unemployable? I can tell you these are normal under 25s - and some smart kids to boot. They just need somebody to help them out through a rough patch. I'm trying my best.

Shelley Burne-Field, CHB Youth Coordinator

Can you help?

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Re: Waipawa Library

McKay — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:25:37 +1200

Also check out the new group formed called Friends of the Library. Contact the Waipawa Library for more details

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Re: Waipawa Library

Richard — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:17:10 +1200

Howdy Carol

Have a read of this press release for more information about the proposed new library.

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Waipawa Library

carolct — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:14:28 +1200

I hear there is a possibility that the Waipawa Library may be closed or put into smaller accommodation.

As a frequent user of the Waipawa Library I find this to be most unsatisfactory.

I urge the council to consider ways to keep Waipawa Library open.

Libraries are the heart of communities and should be kept at all costs.

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