Editorial: Government needs to ensure young people don’t fall through cracks

It's tough being constantly turned down for your first job. Photo / 123rf

Opinion

• Unemployment has risen to 5.1%, with 156,000 people unemployed, affecting young people the most.
• The unemployment rate for ages 15 to 19 reached 23%, the highest in more than a decade.
• The age group lost a net 17,000 jobs over 2024

Young people are bearing the brunt of this recession when it comes to job losses, making it a tough start for those trying to move into working life.

Figures from StatsNZ show the unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 19 reached 23% at the end of last year - the highest in more than a decade.

The age group lost a net 17,000 jobs over 2024 - more than half of the total job losses last year.

During the Covid years the labour shortage caused by closed borders meant employers were crying out for workers and young people were being snapped up for jobs.

But that is no longer the case. This week 18-year-old Kaitlin Elsworth told NZME she had spent two years trying to get a job.

For some it will be the nudge they need to keep studying - whether that be through high school, university, polytechnic or trade training and that can only be a good thing.

Education and trade training will lead to better career prospects and pay. But the risk comes for those who become discouraged when they want to work but keep being turned away.

For those who apply for numerous jobs and don’t hear anything back, as is often the case in the modern world of job seeking, it can be a major blow to self-esteem.

Recent data from Seek shows applications per job ad in November 2024 rose 32% when compared with a year ago.

Meanwhile, monthly hiring activity only rose twice last year as job ad volumes fell 22% on a yearly basis in December, albeit coming off a jobs boom during Covid-19.

Young people with little to no working experience will always be on the back foot when it comes to competing with more experienced candidates.

But it’s vital they are not put off working for life. There lies the risk of welfare dependency and a tougher life of struggling with a limited income.

If work can not be found and education or training is not appealing then volunteering should be considered. There are plenty of charities and other community groups that would welcome an extra pair of hands.

That experience will stand the young person in good stead for when they do try and find work again. Pre-employment job programmes are vital for keeping young people on track and getting them work ready.

A young person’s start in the workforce often sets them up for life, whether it is learning how to turn up on time, dress appropriately, or be reliable.

Likewise, a failure to launch into the workforce can also taint their view of working life. This Government must ensure that young people are encouraged to keep pursuing study, training or work - whether it be paid or volunteer.

It’s vital they don’t fall through the cracks and get left out of New Zealand’s future workforce.