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$50 million injected into youth employment scheme with mixed results

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 14 Aug 2019, 9:51AM
Mana in Mahi participant Tipene Van Den Anker walks around Tunnicliffes Timber with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Tunnicliffes co-owner Scott McCabe. Photo / Katee Shanks

$50 million injected into youth employment scheme with mixed results

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 14 Aug 2019, 9:51AM

More money is being thrown at an employment programme designed to help young people get into work.

That's despite a third of the participants in the initial intake having dropped out.

Mana in Mahi has received nearly $50 million to assist employers with the costs of hiring and training 18 to 24 year olds.

Industry Training Federation chief executive Josh Williams told Mike Hosking the drop out rate is normal and the programme is still worthwhile.

He says not getting young people get into productive enterprise, will cost society a lot more in the long run.

“If you are on the job seeker benefit, you get paid $10,000. Why on earth wouldn’t we give $10,000 to an employer who is willing to give somebody a shot and a chance to enter the workforce.”

Williams says the drop out rate is normal, and the programme is still worthwhile.

“We need more workers, and if we don’t get young people into productive enterprise, it’s going to cost more in the long run.”

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