Mayors Taskforce for Jobs meeting in Christchurch
6 March 2003
Mayors from around the country are meeting in Christchurch this week to
trade information about how to make sure all young New Zealanders are either
working or in training.
That is one of the goals of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs group,
which is holding its annual meeting in Christchurch on Thursday and Friday
(6-7 March). The organisation’s motto is “working towards the
zero waste of New Zealanders”.
Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore expects about 18 of his colleagues
from around the country to attend the meeting. Also expected to attend on
Friday are senior officers from several government ministries and other
organisations.
Mr Moore launched the taskforce in 2000. Three quarters of the
nation’s mayors (56) are now members and the taskforce, which has
signed agreements with the Government and a variety of national organisations
to work together on eradicating youth unemployment. Last year the Government
signed an agreement with the Taskforce, which includes a commitment that, "by
2007, all 15-19 year olds will be engaged in appropriate education, training,
work, or other options which will lead to long-term economic independence
and well-being".
“
It’s taken a while to get everyone committed to the ideas behind the
taskforce,” Mr Moore says. “I reckon we’re at the end
of that phase and now it’s time to really start pushing for results
and swapping information about what’s working well.
“
We also want to make sure all our young people know that they’re valued,
that they’re wanted in their communities and that we’re backing
them to succeed,” Mr Moore says.
Among the organisations to be represented at the meeting on Friday
are the Ministries of Economic Development, Social Development and Pacific
Island Affairs. Also coming are senior officials from the Tertiary Education
Commission, Career Services, Te Puni Kokiri, Industry New Zealand, the Labour
Market Policy Group and the Community Employment Group.
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