Calls to fund youth employment programme
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s mayors are calling for funding certainty for a youth jobs programme as unemployment continues to rise.
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle and Hurunui mayor Marie Black are asking the Government for a long-term funding commitment for the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme.
The national unemployment rate continues to climb, reaching 4.6% in the June quarter, with young people aged 16 to 24-years the hardest hit.
The Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme is funded by the Ministry of Social Development, with the Government providing $18 million from 2023 to 2025.
‘‘We have funding secured until June 30 next year, but not beyond that,’’ Mackle said.
‘‘I know it is hard times for the Government, but those questions need to be answered now or we risk losing our co-ordinators.’’
His message to the Government is simple - ‘‘don’t leave people hanging’’.
The Kaikōura Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme has placed 48 people in sustainable employment in the year to June 30, including 44 young people.
This included 16 young people being placed in apprenticeships.
‘‘We have shown that this works well. I can’t think of anything that gives you a bigger bang for your buck,’’ Mackle said.
Black said the progamme played a valuable role in giving young people ‘‘hope and purpose’’.
‘‘We are in difficult times and it is challenging for employers, but we are fortunate to have some brave employers who are willing to give young people a go.
‘‘So any financial support we can get to keep this programme strong and robust is vital.’’
Kaikōura Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme co-ordinator Aysia McMillan said the programme was funded over the last 12 months for a target of placing 38 youth (16 to 24-year-olds) in employment for at least 91 days.
‘‘We keep checking in with our youth after the 91 days, but the requirement is to support them through the first 91 days.
The programme is now into its fourth year in Kaikōura and over that time 297 job seekers and 87 employers have been registered with the scheme.
Local Government New Zealand vice-president Campbell Barry said the programme demonstrated ‘‘the power of localism’’.
Nationally 6400 young people have been placed in employment across 33 different communities.
‘‘Despite worsening employment conditions, the locally delivered programmes have beaten targets to get more young people into employment,” Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs chairperson Max Baxter said.
‘‘There is a real opportunity for this programme to grow and further deliver on the Government’s goal to get more young people into employment.’’
While the programme is funded until June next year, it has received a 20% reduction compared to last year.
The Ministry of Social Development has been contacted for comment.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Education changes: Area schools ‘copping it from all directions’
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury principal says area schools are ‘‘copping it from all directions’’ with Government changes to education.
Amuri Area School principal Matt Barlow has written to Education Minister Erica Stanford to ask whether the pace of change can be slowed down.
Area schools cover all year levels from new entrants to year 13, tend to be smaller and are based in rural areas, meaning they face pressures to implement curriculum changes across the board.
‘‘Schools like Rangiora High School don’t have to worry about year 1 to 3 literacy and numeracy, and primary schools don’t have to worry about changes to NCEA.
‘‘We are a bit of an afterthought. Area schools are like an airport and principals are like air traffic controllers, with planes coming from all directions.’’
While some rural school rolls are falling, Amuri Area School is managing a growing roll.
The roll has jumped from 335 to 380 students since the start of 2023, which includes its largest roll of year 7s (50) and year 13s (22).
Barlow said the school is working with the Ministry of Education to design a new building for science, technology and arts classes.
No budget or timeframe has been decided.
Amuri Area School is in Culverden, on the way to Hanmer Springs, and the relative isolation adds to the challenges.
The relief teacher pool is limited, meaning Barlow and his two deputy principals have had to step into the classroom several times this year.
Roger Hornblow became principal at Cheviot Area School in term four last year, having been a long serving primary school principal.
‘‘Area schools are very complex and I don’t think it is appreciated by everybody.
‘‘We are dealing with the NCEA changes and the year 0 to 8 changes. It is really complex.
‘‘But that is part and parcel of the beast and we need to make sure we do it in a way which give students the best outcomes.’’
It means professional development is constant, and Hornblow is pleased with how his staff are stepping up.
He would like to see ‘‘a unified education policy’’ which did not change every time there is a change of Government.
The New Zealand Education Institute Te Riu Roa and the New Zealand Principals' Federation also called on the Government last week to slow down the implementation of new structured math and English curriculum.
New NCEA literacy and numeracy online tests have also come under fire from secondary school principals around the country.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said extra support is being provided to area schools in North Canterbury, with curriculum advisors visiting schools, assisting with teacher only days and providing webinars.
The schools also have the support of the ministry's area school leadership advisor Stephen Beck, who is taking a year out from his role as principal at Hurunui College.
"Support will be ongoing as the local team looks to ensure our rural area schools have the assistance they require to implement and embed these changes."
But she said introducing structured literacy and numeracy will take time, especially for schools teaching it for the first time.
"Embedding a curriculum refresh, running professional development and responding to our sector feedback are things we will work on together over the coming years."
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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