Young People
Central's young people are our future leaders.
We want our young people to make positive choices about their future and to have the right information to make good life decisions. Young people are most successful when they have a purpose. Education, training and work can offer that purpose.
If our young people get into trouble with the law, we want to help get them on the right track. For the small number of young people who are committing serious crimes, we’re taking action in an effort to stop them from becoming career criminals.
Youth employment
It is not unusual for a person to struggle to find their first job when they join the labour force. But we need to make sure they’re not discouraged by this, and they stay motivated and keep their work habits. We also know there are young people out there who just need a bit of help to get into work and plan a career.
In 2009/2010 we’ll help Central’s young people get jobs by:
- finding workplaces where young people can work, learn and receive ongoing mentoring, support and guidance, and industry relevant skills
- helping them make informed decisions about school, training and work.
Youth Opportunities package
Times are hard for communities and their young people. The number of young people who don’t have a job is four times higher now than it was this time last year. The Government announced the Youth Opportunities package, working with employers and communities to find opportunities for 16 to 24-year-olds, to work, train or stay in education.
In 2009/2010 as part of the Youth Opportunities package we will:
- fund entry-level jobs for six months, to build experience and confidence
- make 3,000 places for young people to work on community projects
- create extra job training placements through industry partnerships
- expand the Limited Service Volunteer Scheme by an extra 1,250 places.
The Horowhenua Service Academy, at Horowhenua College, helps young people (aged 15-17 years) work towards their goal of a career in the uniformed services.
Getting young people to reach their potential
Lots of young people are doing just fine. They know what path they want to take and have an idea of where they want to go in life. We can give these young people opportunities to participate in development activities and decision making.
Young people are more successful when they’re engaged. Some need more help than others to find a meaningful activity to help keep them out of trouble. We have programmes that help young people stay on the right path and make good decisions.
Youth transitions
Through programmes like Youth Transition Services, we’re providing young people in the Central Region with opportunities to make informed decisions about school, training and work to help build their wellbeing and independence. We also run programmes that strengthen self-esteem, leadership and decision-making skills.
START will work with over 1,000 young people in Palmerston North to ensure plans are in place for when they finish school. Link’d in the Wairarapa will work with 100 young people to help them transition from school to the next phase in their life.
Student support
Over the next year we will extend the MyStudyLink online account service so students can assess their eligibility for most forms of support and apply for it online in one seamless process.
We meet twice a year with educational providers and student association representatives to plan for peak season (beginning and mid-year) activities and to discuss new initiatives and any changes to policies or procedures. This helps us to provide students with comprehensive options for financing their studies so they can make good decisions about the options they choose.
Getting young people on the right path
We provide intensive programmes for those young people who are already in the youth justice system, or who are very close to entering it.
Fresh Start
In August 2009 the Prime Minister announced an expanded Fresh Start for Young Offenders programme, building on the youth justice announcements made earlier in the year. The aim of the programme is to stop young people from reoffending by helping young people involved in low-level offending to get back on track, by holding serious and persistent young offenders to account, and by addressing the root causes of offending.
Some of the initiatives, announced as part of Fresh Start for Young Offenders, include:
- structured community youth programmes for low-level young offenders
- participation in either community or residential court-ordered drug and alcohol programmes, parenting and mentoring programmes
- Youth Court-supervised camps and greater Youth Court powers
- Supervision with Activity Orders with extra places in a range of programmes that incorporate elements of military-style training
- military-style activity camps for serious young offenders.
Reducing youth offending
A small number of young people get caught in cycles of offending. We know that achieving a successful outcome for a young offender is more likely when the young person, their family and the community each take responsibility for the offending. We are teaming up with schools, training providers and employers to get these young people back into education, training or employment.
In 2009/2010 we’ll work to reduce youth offending rates by:
- working with Youth offending teams in Manawatu, Horowhenua, Tararua and the Wairarapa
- at the lower North Island Justice Centre, helping young people make the transition back into the community with an integrated plan
- establishing the Integrated Youth Services Pilot based in Masterton.
Life to the Max
Life to the Max provides support to young people and their families to keep them safe and to encourage them to stay at school or in training, or to find work.
In South Wairarapa, Life to the Max aims to build safer home environments for families, to improve parenting in the home, and to get better educational achievements for young people. In Horowhenua, the Life to the Max programme aims to help young people deal with drug and alcohol related issues.
