New job programme for young people

Scholarship recipient Bianca Nuku is congratulated by Garry Moore at the launch. Simon Mortlock and Dick Hubbard are in the background.

School leavers have the opportunity to work in law, accounting and banking — and have tertiary study paid for — thanks to an employment initiative in Christchurch.

Simon Mortlock Lawyers developed and piloted the employment scholarship programme, with support from Businesses for Social Responsibility, Community Employment Group and Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.

Simon Mortlock, Garry Moore and cereal-maker Dick Hubbard, who founded Businesses for Social Responsibility, launched it in December and already 14 school leavers have been placed.

Coordinator Jo Wolfreys says they have targeted school leavers because of the importance of the first year out of school — called "the golden year", like the golden hour of trauma medicine, when timely intervention can make a big difference.

The programme is important because it is industry-led and graduates will learn "skills that dovetail nicely with reality", says Garry Moore (who helped set up the nationwide Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme).

Simon Mortlock Lawyers say it is a "win-win opportunity for progressive firms and students". It gives young people supported entry into a new world, they become valued assets to businesses, and it’s an opportunity for firms to improve productivity and culture.

For more information contact Jo Wolfreys on 021 46744.