AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

12 July 2007

Youth ambitions supported by council

Plans to help a range of young adults find their way into both employment and education will be put into action by and within Auckland City Council over the coming year.

The council’s Economic Development and Sustainable Business Committee this week endorsed plans to develop a cadetship and a graduate programme for under 25 year olds as part of the council’s commitment to the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs initiative.

The cadetship programme aims to provide sustainable employment opportunities for approximately six at-risk, unemployed youth per year within the council’s structure.

The graduate programme will include scholarships to attract tertiary students with specific skills in areas where the council is experiencing shortages.

Mayor of Auckland city Dick Hubbard says both programmes offer exciting opportunities for young adults in Auckland as a way of kick-starting their careers.

“I have heard heart-warming stories from across the country about the success of cadetship schemes for youth at risk,” he says.

“They talk of the transformation that occurs in some young people after receiving mentoring and guidance.

“In a diverse organisation such as ours we can offer opportunities for a fresh start.

“I see it as part of our commitment to social responsibility and we are leading by example in this area,” says Mr Hubbard.

“As well as professional experience, young people also stand to gain a wealth of knowledge about local government structure, the communities and society they live in and what it takes to make a city tick.

Councillor Richard Northey, chairperson of the Economic Development and Sustainable Business Committee says the graduate programme is just one way for the council to take a lead in addressing areas where skill shortages are high.

“The programme will help graduates put their education into practice and to learn from those in the industry.

“It’s also a great way for us to demonstrate the ways in which organisations can reward young people embarking on careers in areas where skill shortages are high by offering support and development opportunities,” says Mr Northey.

The committee also agreed to fund scholarships for Maori and Pacific Island tertiary students over the next two financial years through grants to the three major tertiary institutions in Auckland city - Auckland University, AUT and Unitec.

At the end of the two financial years, the council will work towards bringing these scholarships into alignment with the graduate programme and other social and economic objectives of the council.

For further information on the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs initiative visit www.mayorstaskforceforjobs.co.nz

ENDS

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