Dannevirke: Volunteering way onto work ladder

James Kendrick wants young people to volunteer as a way of getting on the employment ladder. Photo / Christine McKay

Dannevirke's James Kendrick sees volunteering as a way to prepare the Tararua's young people for work and get them off the couch.

Mr Kendrick, representing Ngati Kahungunu at the vocational pathways community partnership workshops, is a dedicated volunteer for St John, the Fire Service and is a rugby referee. He is also on the Hato Hone Maori advisory group for St John. "We have a lot of young people out there on benefits, so rather than them sitting at home, we have to encourage them to step up and take opportunities themselves and volunteering is a good option."

Mr Kendrick said St John and the Fire Service had NZQA standards that could go towards a resume for young people looking for work.

"There are plenty of opportunities out there for volunteering and prospective employers would see this experience as something positive."

As members of the vocational pathways group work to empower the youth of the Tararua, Mr Kendrick says it's important young people are at the heart of the work being done.

"There are a lot of problems in households [in the Tararua], so we should use young people to go back to their homes to create opportunities for success," he said. "Youth need to be part of the development of the vocational pathways structure."

Tararua District Mayor Roly Ellis believes communities will drive the success of the community partnership working on job opportunities for young people as "communities are here forever".

However, Sue Berry, vice-chairwoman of the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce, said it was important that, as a community, youth were empowered to drive community success.

Mr Kendrick said he would like to see young people from Tararua at the next meeting.

"We're making decisions on their behalf at the moment, they should be part of this."