Green Party promises job pathway for unemployed young people

The Green Party has announced a policy to guarantee a pathway into education, training, or a new job for every 16 to 24-year-old who has been out of work for six months. This proposed programme, titled Jobs for Young People, would cost an estimated $4.86 billion over four years.

The pilot programme would be based on the existing Jobs for Nature model. It would provide jobs through iwi, the public sector, business, and non-profits. Marama Davidson stated that 95% of the funding would go towards work such as community-based initiatives or infrastructure development.

The policy aims to scale up the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs to get 32,000 young people into work. Under the plan, every job would have to be new, and the programme would offer wage subsidies for employers as well as work readiness development.

The proposal has received support from Local Government New Zealand and the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs. Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he was keen to discuss the policy with the Greens after the election. However, National leader Christopher Luxon said he did not support the Jobs Guarantee, though he supports targeted programmes to help young people find work.

How it developed

• Sun 11 Oct, 11:45amThe policy is expected to cost $4.86 billion over four years and would guarantee a living wage to those unemployed or not studying for six months.

Where reports differ

• One report states the cost is $4.9 billion, while another specifies it is $4.86 billion

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Otago Daily Times, Stuff and Waikato Times.