New investment to expand places in community-led employment programmes for jobseekers
The New Zealand government is investing an additional $9.45 million to get 2,100 more young jobseekers into community-led employment programmes.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston said the investment will increase programme places from 5,400 to 7,500 for the 2024/25 period.
This includes 500 new places with selected He Poutama Rangatahi providers for people aged between 18 and 24 who have been on Jobseeker Support longer than a year, according to the government.
It will also create 1,600 places in regional providers for people aged between 18 and 24 who have been on Jobseeker Support any period.
"Young job seekers in this country are forecast to spend about two decades of their lives on a benefit so we must do more to give them a better shot at a life," Upston said in a statement.
According to the minister, local providers know more about their communities and the barriers their young people face to employment: "They are best placed to help them achieve their potential."
She added that they will assess how each provider supports job seekers and identify the most effective methods before expanding the number of contracted places.
"Bonus payments will be considered in future years for providers and young job seekers when they remain off benefit for at least 12 months after finding work," the minister said.
The additional investment is part of the government's new "Welfare that Works" approach that aims to cut benefit dependency among young people.
"Under our Welfare that Works programme, more young people will get a needs assessment, a job plan and tailored support, including job coaching, to help them access education, training, and employment opportunities," Upston said.
The government previously mandated new work seminars and work check-ins for Jobseeker Support recipients to help them in looking for work.
Other measures implemented by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) include:
