|
Monday July 13, 2009 The Budget...
Since the last edition of Youth Matters, we have seen the first Budget under the new Government.
It was never going to be an easy Budget, but I remain surprised by some of Government's re-prioritisation, especially from a youth perspective.
Some of the larger changes include cuts to:
- Skills training
- Adult and Community Education funding
- The Employment Assistance programme
- Scholarships that helped low income young people to undertake tertiary education
- Enterprising Communities Fund, which supported communities to create jobs
The Government has talked a great deal about keeping our debt levels under control, and this is the reason they have given for making these cuts. But while they may have ensured there is money to pay unemployment benefits for the extra people who will join the unemployment line over the coming years, they have cut the very things that could prevent or reduce the line in the first place, especially for our young people.
This is also by no means an exhaustive list, and many of the cuts we'll see in the sector will not be immediately obvious from Budget document. I'll continue to monitor where these changes are occurring and the impact they're likely to have.
Back to top Youth unemployment
The March quarter Household Labour Force Survey indicated that youth unemployment is on the rise. More than 32,000 of our 15-19 year olds are not in work, training or education and 25,700 of our 20-24 year olds.
Prior to the Budget I hosted a Youth Job Summit to discuss this issue and generate ideas on how to curb the rising tide of unemployment amongst young people. Some of the ideas raised by NGOs, trade union representatives, the education and business sectors included:
- Creating formal pathways from secondary school into further training or employment
- Guaranteed employment or training schemes for youth long-term unemployed
- Greater focus on the Skills Strategy provisions – including the establishment of an ongoing platform for business, education, local government and union sector representatives to have a continuing dialogue
- Introducing a training component to the Job Support Scheme (9 day fortnight)
- Include a co-op scheme in all tertiary business schools (along the AUT business school model)
- Providing better job/ career training in secondary schools
- Creating subsidies for young workers to travel to areas where workers are needed to increase mobility of the workforce
- Long term consideration/ focus on up-skilling but also acknowledging the need for short term relief through job creation schemes
- Reforming the university year to prevent buildings and resources sitting idle for a third of the year
- More funding for tertiary education (including lifting the cap)
- Providing subsidies (Which can be revoked for non-compliance) to employers of less than 5 people to employ or train a young person
A range of political parties were represented at the summit and I hope we will see engagement on this issue from across the House.
If you're interested in hearing more about the Youth Job Summit please drop me an email.
Back to top The big booze review
The Justice and Electoral Select Committee is currently hearing submissions on the Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill, which has the potential to give communities more say on the way alcohol is bought and sold in their communities. At the same time, the Law Commission is carrying out a comprehensive review of all alcohol legislation in New Zealand (a project that began last year).
At a recent meeting with the Select Committee the Minister of Justice, Simon Power, made it clear that he wanted to "look at liquor once, and once only, in a legislative sense in this term.” This all points to potential delays till the Law Commission completes its review. It's also indicative of the important role the Law Commission review will play in the future debate on alcohol issues. I encourage everyone to take part in this review as it progresses.
For more information visit http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/ProjectGeneral.aspx
Back to top On a positive note...
Bringing the UN to NZ, giant can sculptures, and the BOP Times!
This week marked the annual New Zealand Model United Nations in Wellington, an opportunity for young people from around New Zealand to replicate the workings of the UN. I understand the '09 event has been a huge success. Congratulations to those who participated, and especially the young people from UNYANZ who organised the event.
Meanwhile, anyone walking through Wellington's Civic Square recently would have stumbled across a world record attempt, with 54,000 cans laid out to spell the words "iCAN". This massive undertaking was part of the One Edge leadership conference, with the cans being donated to the Wellington City Mission, SPCA and Salvation Army.
And finally, the Bay of Plenty Times deserves a mention. The Times regularly dedicates a section of their paper to young achievers in the Bay of Plenty. A fantastic initiative, which should be replicated nationwide!
If you have any positive stories you'd like to share, email me at [Email]
Back to top
|