3. Hon TAU HENARE (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What announcements has she made on supporting young people into jobs?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
Some very good ones. Yesterday the Prime Minister and I announced that $55.2 million will go into youth employment in this year’s Budget. Young New Zealanders had been hit hard; we have certainly seen those numbers today come out in the household labour force survey. We supported them initially with Job Ops and Community Max, which are keeping over 15,000 young people in the job market. This initiative is the next step and will provide a further 13,000 places for young people over the next few years.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
There are three key components to this package. One is Skills for Growth, which really relates jobs to training that is New Zealand Qualifications Authority accredited. It means that a young person is less likely to go back on a benefit, because he or she is gaining real skills and real jobs in industries of need over a long period of time, like aged care, agriculture, and horticulture. The second is Job Ops with Training. Job Ops has been successful; we are just taking it that extra step. Then, of course, there are the Limited Service Volunteers, where we see fantastic motivation and self-disciplined people eager to get ahead. We are keen to support them.
Hon Sir Roger Douglas Link to this
Could the Minister explain to the House what she considers extreme about wanting to allow a young Māori the right to work as an apprentice builder for $400 a week? Why does she think it is better that this person not be allowed to take up this job, preferring that he sit at home on the couch watching Desperate Housewives or playing Nintendo Wii?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
I presume that the member is referring to the minimum wage, particularly for youth. I suppose we would say that we are subsidising a lot of wages for employers. That is what these initiatives are doing, and I really have no other answer to that question. Thank you.