Tūrangi police: Bridging the gap into work for youth

Tūrangi Blue Light is running its annual rafting trip on Saturday, December 5 - a family-friendly grade 2 trip suitable for ages 3 upward. Photo / File

OPINION:
Kia ora koutou. A couple of weeks ago in my police report I talked about a young man who had been getting into a bit of strife locally and, when he met his victim, the victim saw so much potential in this young man that he offered him a job. A pretty cool outcome all round.

As police we're hearing that there may be other local employers out there, particularly in the trades, who might also consider taking a young person on for an apprenticeship or the like but don't know, or can't find out what sort of government assistance there is to help.

With that in mind, Tūrangi police invites all local employers, particularly those in the trades, along to a meeting at Tūrangi police station next Wednesday, December 2, at 5.30pm. We've asked somebody from the Ministry of Social Development to also come along to tell you all about the assistance you can get if you hire a jobseeker, young or more mature in age.

For instance, the Ministry of Social Development has a Mana in Mahi programme that will help workers with the tools or clothing or other gear they need to start an NZQA-approved qualification at apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship level, plus incentive payments to keep them working towards their qualification.

For employers, Mana in Mahi can help pay for any pre-employment training their new worker might need, provide a wage subsidy of up to $16,000 in the first year of training and up to $8000 in the second, and help pay for industry training course fees.

There are other programmes too that may also be helpful so we'll get our MSD work broker to help provide employers with information about what's available and how to apply for it.

Sergeant Te Reipa Morunga, Tūrangi police. Photo / File

This is going to be an important evening, especially for our tradies around town who may want to access these opportunities. We hope that in turn it will lead to more people being supported into employment and making a positive contribution to our community. I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday evening at the station.

Also coming up soon is our Tūrangi Blue Light family fun rafting day on Saturday, December 5. This is an awesome whānau day for Tūrangi rangatahi aged from 3 years upwards and their families on a grade two rafting trip with Rafting New Zealand. The trip is just $20 per person. Those aged under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. After the rafting, it's over to the Turtle Pools for our last pool party of the year. Pick up a form at your school or Tūrangi police station.

Ngā mihi, Te Reipa.