Flexible Fund – Mayors Taskforce
Fact Sheet
Work and Income regions are currently preparing proposals to assist young people through the transition from school to
work as part of the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs. This is one of the Jobs Jolt budget initiatives that were launched in
August 2003.
- Work and Income has been working closely with Mayors and local government for some time and have approximately 100
joint initiatives with Mayors and their councils. These initiatives complement the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs proposals
currently under consideration.
- One example is an initiative in Dunedin entitled ‘Big Four’. This has been established to collaborate on employment
issues across the Health, Housing, Education and Employment sectors as well as local government.
- In Westport with ‘Youthworks’ the Employment Catalyst Fund, Buller District Council, Community Employment Group and
Work and Income have partnered to create an integrated approach in the creation of employment opportunities for young
people. After one year this project is starting to achieve some good results for young people and will receive our
continued support.
- Work and Income is committed to the combined Government and Mayor’s Taskforce goal of ensuring that all youth between
the ages of 15 to 19 are in appropriate education or training activities by 2007. We are continuing to work alongside
the local councils to deliver a growing number of opportunities to youth.
- We also publish a Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs newsletter on a two-monthly basis which highlights regional youth
initiatives in partnership with local councils.