19 January 2005

The 2004 Budget saw the announcement of a new Youth Transition Service, designed to help at risk youth on the path to financial independence and overall well being. The Government is directing the implementation of the Youth Transition Services through Work and Income, a service of the Ministry of Social Development.

Fourteen council areas throughout New Zealand will be identified between 2005 and 2007 to implement the Youth Transition Service. Waitakere City is one of the first councils to establish the service.

Mayor Bob Harvey says as a Youth Transition City Waitakere will provide a forum for strategic planning and co-ordination of services for young people.

"We’re a young city with 39 per cent of our population under 24 and one third of our population under 20.This is an absolutely fantastic project that will provide youth with customised support and guidance to ease them into appropriate work, education or training," he says.

The Ministry of Social Development has contracted the Youth Horizons Trust to deliver the Waitakere Youth Transition Service.

“The Youth Transition Service intends to raise the awareness of young people, their families and the community to the wide range of opportunities and services available,” says Work and Income Regional Commissioner Isabel Evans. “We want to see all Waitakere school leavers move on to employment, further education, training or specialist support based on their particular needs.”

As the lead agency, the Youth Horizons Trust will identify local skill shortages and labour market opportunities in Waitakere City. Youth will be supported as they progress to sustainable futures through these opportunities.

The focus of the Youth Horizons Trust is providing solutions for families and young people with limited opportunities through a series of preventative and proactive approaches.

“The Waitakere Youth Transitions Service will aim to keep young people productively involved in the Waitakere community, whether this be working with local businesses and training providers or developing a range of new youth focused resources and support systems,” says Darryl Bishop, Community Service manager for Youth Horizons.

“Youth Horizons is looking forward to the opportunity of working with the schools and young people of Waitakere in transitioning to further education and employment opportunities and building on the work that we already do in the Waitakere Community,” says Jeff Richardson, CEO of Youth Horizons Trust.

ENDS

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