Innovative Pilot May Provide Youth Unemployment Solution

MEDIA RELEASE 20 September 2012 ____________________________________________________________________________

Innovative Pilot May Provide Youth Unemployment Solution

The Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) is launching the pilot of their new Career Navigator programme at Manurewa High School tomorrow.

Career Navigator, a school-based ready-for-work programme, is designed to provide secondary school students with the information they need to make informed decisions about future employment.

Recent research* shows a need for early intervention and in-depth strategies for youth who are at risk of not making the successful transition to further education or employment.

Further research** released in 2011 showed that 45% of New Zealand’s total unemployed are youth (15-24) with the problem concentrated among 15 to 19 year olds.

“This research really concerned us and we’ve been eager to fast track the trial phase,” says FYD CEO, Marion Short. “With support from our new sponsor (Leighton Contractors), a new working model and willing partners committed to improving youth employment outcomes we were able to bring the pilot into action.”

Following the full trial, Career Navigator will be evaluated and if successful introduced alongside FYD’s other programmes, Kiwi Can, Stars, Project K and MYND.

Career Navigator will initially be available to Year 11 to Year 13 students; however FYD hope to develop the programme to include Year 10 students.

“We are hoping to develop this pilot into a nationwide programme that will become part of a successful solution to address youth unemployment – an ongoing problem across New Zealand,” says Short. “Our successful school based programmes focus on positive youth development by teaching core life skills. Career Navigator will provide practical and inspiring advice for young Kiwis when they’re preparing to venture out from senior school into the ‘real world’.”

With financial and practical support of experienced personnel from key sponsor, Leighton Contractors, the Career Navigator programme has been developed.

Leighton Contractors New Zealand General Manager, Andrew Stevens says; “Leighton Contractors is thrilled to be a part of FYD’s Career Navigator and helping the futures of our young people.”
The programme has also been supported by local and national employers and businesses, Manurewa Local Board, government and non-government organisations.

CAREER NAVIGATOR – PHASE ONE: Option Selection Friday
On Friday 21 September, over three hundred Year 12 and 13 students at Manurewa High School will take part in ‘Option Selection Friday’. Students will be addressed by key note speaker Bernice Mene followed by a further four speakers: NZ Drug Detection Agency (drug testing in the workplace), Careers NZ (work readiness), Manukau Institute of Technology (tertiary options after secondary school) and Adecco Recruitment Agency.
Students then rotate to 12 different stations where they will be briefed by industry professionals to learn more about career and employment opportunities. Each session is interactive requiring information sharing and student Q&A.

Industries include:
• Construction & Engineering • Logistics & Transport • Tourism
• Catering & Food Nutrition • Social & Youth Work • Electrical
• Telecommunication Services • Health • Police & Services
• Hospitality • Education • Customs

“Both the speakers and the industry professionals are true experts in their fields - engaging, fun, full of advice and with plenty of life experience to share,” says Short. “These are individuals who are not only passionate about the fields they work in but also want to impart their knowledge and inspire future generations of police, teachers, engineers, counsellors and healthcare professionals.”

* OECD Publishing. 2010. “Off to a Good Start? Jobs for Youth.pp.5. Paris: OECD Publishing.
** New Zealand Institute. 2011. More Ladders, Fewer Snakes: Two Proposals to Reduce Youth Disadvantage.pp.15 Auckland : The New Zealand Institute.

For more information on FYD and its programmes visit www.fyd.org.nz

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