7. PAUL QUINN (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What recent developments have there been in implementing the Youth Guarantee for students aged 16 and 17?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
We are making huge progress, and I am pleased to announce that we are increasing the original number of Youth Guarantee places from 2,000 to 2,694. This exceeds the number that was in last year’s Budget. That means that under the wider Youth Guarantee umbrella up to 4,000 16 and 17-year-olds are staying in the system to gain an education and skills training, rather than dropping out. This Government is committed to addressing the chronic gap between those succeeding in, and those being failed by, our education system. We are working to ensure that all students have the best possible chance to develop, rather than just developing catchy slogans like the previous Government did.
I was very pleased to have that member with me yesterday to open the WelTech trades academy, which is one of eight trades academies opening this year. These partnerships between schools, tertiary providers, and employers give free tertiary training—
Mr SPEAKERI apologise to the Minister. I say to the Labour Party front-benchers that if I cannot hear the Minister, what chance does the questioner at the back of the House have? The questioner has a right to hear the answer. The Labour front bench is being a little unreasonable today in terms of the noise volume.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think the point might be in respect of the members around the questioner. The questioner, of course, is reading. He already has the question written down.
They just cannot stand hearing good news. These partnerships between schools, tertiary providers, and employers will give free tertiary training to 16 and 17-year-olds, ensuring that they work towards completing the National Certificate of Educational Achievement and have a head start on trade skills. This comes on top of 19 service academies that are helping nearly 400 kids to stay in school.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Have you received reports on this matter?
I ask the member to repeat his question and make it within order. He should not address his question to the Speaker; he should address it to the Minister.
I have opened three of the academies so far and spoken to a number of teachers, students, and parents. Their overwhelming feedback was a feeling of excitement and hope. Finally, these kids are being given the chance to succeed and get a qualification that will actually help them in life, rather than their just dropping out of the system and waiting until they are 18 to go on the dole.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. Kia ora tātou katoa. In what ways do the recent developments around the Youth Guarantee scheme benefit Māori; if they do not, what specific policy initiatives will be taken to ensure that the appalling underachievement and unemployment statistics for rangatahi Māori are addressed?
From the initial roll-out of the Youth Guarantee scheme we have targeted areas, in particular, that had high Māori unemployment. We have been very successful to date in attracting and retaining students. In addition, the trades academies are also targeting Māori students. There was a great example in my own electorate on Friday last week, when we opened the trades academy that is being led by Trident High School. We have six other local Eastern Bay of Plenty high schools participating, plus Waiariki Institute of Technology, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, and local businesses. So we are starting to see the Māori education communities come together to form these relationships, and I have no doubt that that will continue to grow.