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?