16 Sep 2009 - Richard Thomas

In August, 74 young people under 25 in Central Hawke's Bay were unemployed, three times more than at the same time last year.

The MSD are very concerned as in 1992 when an umemployment spike occurred, many under 25s 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.

• Are you affected by this trend? 
• Are you concerned by this increase in youth unemployment?
• Do you have any ideas that could help?

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