School driver licences - a win for youth employment

8 December 2015

School driver licences - a win for youth employment

The introduction of NCEA credits from next year for students to obtain a driver licence will help address the skills shortage.

Employers will welcome the joint Ministerial announcement as much as students currently missing out on job opportunities from not having a driving licence, said Michael Barnett,

“There are looming skill shortages in industries where drivers licences are a core competency of roles (trades, transport) and the only barrier to entry for young people is their lack of a full drivers licences. Opportunities are missed for young people to start their careers in these critical industries. Our experience suggests that young people with a full drivers licence are able to apply for seven times more jobs than those without Mr. Barnett stated.”

“We have worked closely with the Ministry of Education and it is great to get a result as quickly as this,” said Mr Barnett.

“From the start Ministry officials listened and responded in a positive way. It is an example demonstrating that a well-constructed conversation and process between business and government can get a result that benefits all parties, and especially in this case students who would otherwise miss out on a job and likely end up in the court system through driving without a licence.”

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