Media release
11 August 2004

Youth Transition package for Waitakere City

Waitakere is one of the first five cities chosen as a Youth Transition City by the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs, a government scheme aiming to steer young people towards education and training.

The City’s supportive infrastructure and proven ability to deliver youth strategies are factors in Waitakere’s selection.

The government is establishing services in 14 communities across New Zealand over the next three years to follow up school leavers and engage with young people at risk of prolonged disengagement from work, education or training. Funding of $26.9m has been provided in the budget for individualised services which are likely to be contracted to existing community-based organisations to provide customised support and career planning, working with local employers, and training and education providers.

Mayor Bob Harvey, a core member of the Mayors’ Taskforce, will take a major leadership role in the Waitakere project.

“This is an absolutely fantastic project that comes with a large funding package.
As a Youth Transition City, we will provide a forum for strategic planning and co-ordination of services for young people – not doubling up on existing youth projects. We’re a young city with 39 per cent of our population under 24 and one third of our population under 20,” he says.

“We will provide youth with customised support and guidance to ease them into appropriate work, education or training.

“Waitakere’s staff will identify and support development of labour markets, education and training opportunities for young people,” says Mayor Harvey.

Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey says the Mayoral Taskforce will be part of a national advisory group overseeing the youth transitions services.

Youth projects currently underway at Waitakere
- The Waitakere Employment and Skills project - Connect Waitakere DVD and Website – an initiative to stamp out unemployment before it happens.
- Waitakere Interagency Group
- Waitakere Education Sector Trust
- West Auckland Secondary Schools Principals Group

ENDS

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