The current situation for young people
seeking apprenticeships
During the 1990s fewer young apprentices were employed. In 1999 only 10% of industry trainees were aged 16 to 19.
Currently the majority of industry trainees are aged 25 years or older.
This is part of a wider problem for youth wishing to move into the workforce. According to the last Census, a quarter
of all 16 and 17 year olds were not in education, training or full-time work. They had disappeared into a worrying gap
between school and what should be their next step towards productive adult life.
This has serious implications for New Zealand’s ability to replace and refresh skills and knowledge as the existing
workforce grows older. We need to do all we can to develop the skills of tomorrow’s workforce.
Existing arrangements do not provide enough support and encouragement for young people and potential employers to
participate in formal workplace learning.
Employers are reluctant to risk hiring a young person whose strengths and abilities they are unfamiliar with. At
present, many employers prefer to upskill their existing workforce rather than take on a young apprentice.
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