April 18, 2023
Job programmes target ram raiders
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Associate Social Development and Employment Minister Willie Jackson says new programmes in areas that have seen spikes in youth offending will help steer rangatahi into training and employment.
Whakawātea Te Ara Poutama involves 15 work-readiness and employment training programmes in south and west Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.
The programmes focus on young people aged 15 to 24 who face barriers to getting into work like low or no qualifications, health issues and or whānau responsibilities, and who have extra barriers because of potential links to criminal activity and or gang affiliations.
They’re co-designed with providers who are well connected to their communities.
Mr Jackson says rangatahi will be taken through a journey that grows them as individuals, whether that be reconnecting with whakapapa, supporting them to deal with the issues they are facing while equipping them with skills, training, and confidence to identify and set career aspirations.
He says some rangatahi involved in crime or associated with gangs have never had an opportunity to get on a training course or be in a position to apply for a job.