April 06, 2014
Emergency plan boosts rangatahi
Youth Affairs Minister Nikki Kaye is considering how to extend a scheme that encourages rangatahi to work in emergency services.
Six towns and cities around the country piloted the Youth in Emergency Services scheme where young people worked with agencies like police, fire, coastguard, ambulance and Red Cross.
The rangatahi, who were nominated by schools, iwi and social services, were taught useful skills and participated in exercises.
Ms Kaye, who is also minister of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, says the scheme will continue, and it’s a question of how big it can become.
"We really want to ensure we build confidence in these young people but also they get an experience to see what our emergency services are doing first hand. The results so far have been brillliant, so I think it's a win for everyone. Young people get confidence, get skills, and communities get more volunteers in the future," she says.
Nikki Kaye says despite high youth unemployment it’s important to find opportunities to build confidence in young people.
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