Coalition Govt Invests $9.45M to Expand Community-Led Employment Programs for Young Job Seekers

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston emphasized the importance of this investment, noting that many young job seekers face long-term reliance on benefits.

The coalition Government has announced a significant investment aimed at supporting young job seekers, with an additional $9.45 million allocated to expand community-led employment programs. This funding increase will boost the number of placements from 5,400 to 7,500, providing more young people with access to job coaches and tailored support.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston emphasized the importance of this investment, noting that many young job seekers face long-term reliance on benefits. The new funding will enhance the Welfare that Works programme, offering more comprehensive support to help young people transition from welfare to employment.

The expansion includes:

500 new places with He Poutama Rangatahi providers for individuals aged 18-24 who have been on Jobseeker Support for over a year.

1,600 new places with regional providers for individuals aged 18-24 on Jobseeker Support for any duration.

Upston highlighted that local providers, familiar with their communities and the specific challenges faced by young people, are well-positioned to deliver effective support. The Government will evaluate the effectiveness of each provider's methods and consider performance-based bonus payments for both providers and job seekers who remain off benefits for at least 12 months after securing employment.

Additionally, the Government is launching a new over-the-phone employment case management service for 4,000 under-25s, reinforcing its commitment to creating better opportunities for young people through employment.