October 14, 2020
Focus on young workers paying off for Jackson
Employment Minister Willie Jackson says he will push for a continuing emphasis on rangatahi Māori in the next Government.
He says pre-COVID programmes like He Poutama Rangatahi, Mana and Mahi, the creation of skills and training hubs and an increase in apprenticeships have contributed to falling unemployment among Māori, especially in the regions.
They also formed the basis for COVID-recovery efforts, with those programmes extended into the cities.
"We’ve basically had a workforce that hasn't been trained. We inherited a mess. Programmes we have got along with the investment in terms of infrastructure and billions in shovel ready projects, there's enough there over the next 12 months to get our young people activated, motivated and on the streets because our young people are the highest priority," he says.
Willie Jackson is at 19 on the party list and set to return after Saturday’s election.
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