Media Statement
Monday 03 August

FYD Statement On The Youth Opportunities Package Announced 02 August

The Foundation for Youth Development (FYD), a leading organisation in the field of youth development in New Zealand, welcomes the youth opportunities package announced by the Prime Minister, John Key, this weekend.

FYD believes that the initiatives are largely positive and look to help young people stay off the unemployment benefit, develop work skills, grow confidence and connect with their community.

The variety of initiatives is to be commended but FYD warns that all programmes must be targeted in order to work and evaluated to gauge success. Similarly FYD is keen to hear assurances that those young people who need financial assistance will still receive it.

Mountaineer and FYD co-founder, Graeme Dingle, said: “The government’s intention here is great and we are supportive of any initiative that gets young people motivated, active and engaged. The current economic situation is difficult for many people, particularly those who have just left school or training and are competing for roles against people who already have a raft of work experience.

“But, as with anything, the devil’s in the detail and we are eager to see the specifics as soon as possible, particularly around the intended military-style training programmes and also what public funds will be available to young people while they are training.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media