Youth Transitions A goal for young people

Why focus on youth? Most youth make successful transition to study or work However, at any one time 7– 8.4% of 15 – 19 year olds are not in education, training or work Some of this group are highly at risk Others may make poor choices

Current Employment Situation 3.6% unemployment rate is the lowest in the OECD and the lowest in New Zealand for the last 25 years. At 12.6% the unemployment rate for 15 – 19 year olds has dropped by 4.3 percentage points since 2000 Skills and labour needs are the key issue – hence the importance of successful transitions for 15 – 19 year olds.

Why act? Poor youth outcomes have high social and economic costs The world of work is changing rapidly – there are many choices to navigate Youth non participation could increase due to the baby blip

A Goal for youth The need for a goal to focus effort arose independently at national and local government levels Shared goal in October 2002 MOU with MTFJ: “by 2007 all 15 – 19 year olds will be engaged in appropriate education training work or other options that will lead to long term economic independence and well being”

A multi-year work programme Core group of Government agencies working together:DoL (lead) , MSD and TEC Consultation with MTFJ Budget 2003 and 2004 with >$110 million on Youth Transition initiatives Further efforts this year to better link and improve access to Youth Transitions initiatives

IMPLEMENTING A TRANSITION FRAMEWORK Key elements of a Key budget initiatives Number of Youth Targeted successful transition 2003 &2004 Well organised pathways connect education and training and the labour market Workplace experience combined with education Gateway 13,000 by 2008 (19% of all the senior role of 225 decile 1 – 6 schools) STAR Approximately 50% of all senior secondary students (138 – 140,000) Modern ApprenticeshipsCurrently 6,874 Modern Apprentices, rising to 8,500 by June 2005 Youth Transitions Once the YTS is fully rolled out it is anticipated Service that 17,500 school leavers out of an annual total of 60,000 (approximately 30%) will be receiving a range of transition services. a) Once only follow-up 6,250 pa in the first 5 years, rising to for 17,500 annually in the out years. b) Specialist interventions 1,500 pa in the first 5 years, and 4,200 in out years Inclusive transitions systems targetd at potential school leavers and unemployed Effective institutions and processes Designing Careers Slightly over 10,000 year 10 students in 2005. Additionally, an estimated 500 Students in year 11-13 who are identified as at risk of not making a successful transition from school will receive more intensive support. Good information and guidance at school and post school

Progress to date Lowering of the NEET figure from 10 – 15% to 7– 8.4 % Youth Transition initiatives will provide services to 40,000 youth by 2008 Of the 40,000 15,000 youth will have specific targeting through Gateway, YTS and Designing Careers

Next steps: rolling out Youth Transitions First Youth Transition Service is to be launched in Waitakere on 10th of March Roll out of 10 Youth Transitions sites The last four sites are to follow

Next steps: branding, access and awareness Need for Youth Transitions brand or umbrella Need for promotion – awareness Need for access point for all Youth Transitions services for youth, parents and employers.

Next steps: branding, access and awareness cont’d

Bringing it together in the regions Co-ordination of Youth Transition initiatives at national, regional and local level Bringing together support services Being proactive – tracking and destinations Involving young people, parents and employers