Today’s Wellbeing Budget announcements show the Government is tackling Pacific unemployment head on, allocating $14.5 million towards growing opportunities for young people in employment, education or training. Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio says the funding will be directed towards the Pacific Employment Support Service (PESS).
“This funding will grow learning and earning opportunities by expanding collaboration with Pacific providers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to place up to 2220 Pacific young people into employment, education or training,” Sio says.
PESS is one of two Māori & Pacific programmes supported by the Provincial Growth Fund to target young people who are Not in Employment, Education and Training (NEET). Solomon Group CEO Lynette Donohue says the funding boost will allow them to continue helping Pacific people into employment.
“It’s (Solomon Group) a fabulous initiative which provides specific targeted support to our Pasifika young people. We are delighted that this positive programme is being extended,” Donohue says.
The boost is one of a raft of announcements to improve outcomes for Pacific people, which also includes $11 million towards the Pacific Business Trust to grow businesses and employment and $27.4 million for Pacific education programmes.
Latest statistics show Pacific people currently have the highest unemployment rate in New Zealand at 9%.
