Young give jobs policy thumbs-up

John Key's $152 million package to reduce youth unemployment gives the young more opportunities to find work or career paths, young people told the Herald yesterday.

Nick Leishman, 18, said he was working in two jobs, but had not yet decided on his career path. Aspects of the scheme might be helpful when he decided what he wanted to do.

Onewhero Area School student Katherine McGahan, 14, said: "It sounds like it will give teenagers a really good opportunity not to have to go straight into work after school."

University students Ranmalie Jayasinha and Hana Christenson, both 20, were pleased, saying it could help many students who struggled when the academic year ended because their student loan and allowance payments stopped.

Ms Jayasinha said she was most grateful for the summer scholarships scheme, which provides students with paid research roles over the long break. She was already benefiting from one.

"That's what I'm relying on for the summer to survive in Auckland, which is going to be really cool. It's great. Go, John Key!"

Ms Christenson said: "There's so many university students who are just struggling for any kind of work in university summer holidays. Coming straight out of exams to get a job is quite difficult. If there's job opportunities, that's incredible. "

St Kentigern College students David Caulton, 17, and Sam Morrow, 16, thought the scheme was a good idea.

Neither had given much thought to what he wanted to do when he finished school next year - but both knew they wanted to study rather than go straight into work. They thought they might benefit from aspects of the scheme related to study.

University student Tim Clark, 18, said the announcement was a "great idea", but "I don't think it's going to affect me very much".

Fellow student Cameron Town, 18, agreed the scheme was a good idea.

"In a recession it's harder to get jobs so the Government has to do something. So I guess it gives people alternatives."

Onewhero Area School student Tasha Clifton, 15, said she felt the scheme gave younger people greater choices and opportunities.

Correspondence School student Josh Capstick, 15: "I think it's a good idea - it will probably help people."