Youth unemployment may be at a record high post COVID-19. Shirley Johnson, Director of the Youth Employability
Programme, ‘Licence to Work’, urges parents to take responsibility to help their young ones get back on their feet and
into the workforce.
Johnson’s advice is that parents keep conversations positive and hopeful. But at the same time be realistic that there
are fewer jobs out there and they are harder to get. “Let young people know that they need to be tenacious and really
stick at getting a job.”
Johnson has several employability tips that parents can follow.Be realistic
It is inevitable that jobs will be scarce post COVID-19. Because of this, young people may not have the option of
waiting around for their dream job. Parents need to be encouraging their children to view any job as a foot in the door.
Johnson mentions that any job is a step up because “you’re more likely to get a job when you’re already working.”Voluntary work experience
Finding work is going to be tough and will take a bit of creativity from young people. Paid jobs are not abundant, so
offering to work for free for a bit may be the next best thing. It helps young people appear as marketable as possible
to future employers.Stay connected
Spend quality time with your young people. Get to know what they want to do and help them research it. Parents should
sit down, look at what sectors have jobs and the range of work within sectors. Take time to understand the sector and be
aware of what jobs are available in your region.Be flexible and open minded about getting work
It is a reality that in some regions there is less work than in others. Young people need to be willing to travel and
work in a different region for some time to get experience. Young people may need to stay with a family member and do
seasonal work, like fruit picking.
Johnson says it is important to “be really flexible about how to get that first job.”
Additionally, parents should think broadly about employment sectors. Don’t eliminate certain sectors because they may
not be your child’s preferred choice. There are many different types of jobs within a sector that may be of interest.
For example, many sectors have public relations roles. That could be considered a job possibility.Getting involved with extra activities
Along with voluntary work experience, another option could be encouraging them to join a group or a campaign. Employers
love to see extra-curricular causes on CV’s. It shows the candidate cares about something that is bigger than
themselves.Keep their minds going
After COVID, a lot of young people will be stuck in holiday mode. Parents should be encouraging their children to learn
something new. Even if it is out of their comfort zone. Instead of watching Netflix, consider reading and educational
documentaries. Create opportunities to problem solve at home. It is an issue that many young people enter the workforce
lacking problem solving skills.Employability framework
Go through the New Zealand Employability Framework which can be downloaded from: https://www.careers.govt.nz/articles/employability-skills-are-the-heart-of-the-future/.
Find out what your young people are doing well in and see where there are gaps in their skills. Help them build those
skills at home and get them to keep a catalog of ways they are practicing their skills. They are likely to be asked
about this in interviews.Do your research
Visit workplaces and talk to people in preferred sectors of work. It is an awesome way to find out what it is really
like to work somewhere. It helps young people in building confidence talking to new people. Also, it can help them think
about what questions to ask in an interview.Networking
Less than 20% of entry level jobs will be advertised following COVID-19. To help young people get their first job,
parents need to look within their social circles. Don’t wait for work to be formally advertised, networking is another
way of actively looking for jobs.
Unfortunately, poorer families may have fewer contacts to network with. Parents and young people need to be as broad and
creative as possible about who might have a job coming up. For example, you could ask local sports clubs, churches and
maraes.Sort out legal documents
It is commonly overlooked, but very important that young people ensure all their legal documents are in order. Job
offers can be missed if employers need to wait for a candidate’s documentation. Parents should make sure their children
have a copy of their birth certificate, IRD number and bank account details. Having a valid driver’s license is also key
in expanding job opportunities.Think about what you’ll need and plan ahead
Many employers base their opinion of young people off their appearance. Therefore, appearing presentable and ready to
work is imperative. Consider what you’ll need to go to the interview or do the job. A corporate wardrobe or tools for
the trades may need to be saved for in advance if funds are low.Practice makes perfect
Parents can help their young people with putting together a CV and doing mock interviews at home. Ask behavioural
questions based around employability skills. For example, ask, ‘tell us about a time where you used your initiative’.
This will help your young ones feel more confident for interviews and be better prepared.
For more information on employability tips for youth and parents visit https://cometauckland.org.nz/our-initiatives/yep.
Shirley Johnson, Youth Employability Director
Shirley developed and leads the Youth Employability initiative, and works closely with employers, industry leaders,
government agencies, educators, and youth service organisations. She is also the lead trainer for YEP providers around
the country.
Shirley contributed to the development of the national Youth Employability Framework. Her work is closely allied to the
Auckland Plan goals for sustainable growth in skills and training for the knowledge-based economy.
Shirley is from Christchurch where she worked in local government and social services.