looking for work and becoming work ready

becoming work ready

When you're engaging with a young person and it's decided that employment is the best pathway, you'll need to support the young person to undertake activities that will help them obtain a job. This can include but not limited to:

CV and cover letter writing
interview skills, this may include practices together and ‘mock’ interviews
obtaining a driver licence or special licence, i.e. Forklift
support with creating a budget and linking to budgeting services if required
obtaining the right equipment for a role, e.g. work boots, tools

Knowing your local labour market

It's your responsibility to have a good understanding of your local labour market and canvassing possible employment opportunities for the young person.

While the young person is enrolled in your service

Understanding the young person skills and the type of roles and industries they can transfer to will guide the types of opportunities that will give them the best chance of securing a job.

While enrolled in your service, you'll need to prepare them for work by addressing their barriers and issues. You should update their Youth Service plan to include things such as:

identifying supports required to assist the young person in finding a job and keeping it
encouraging young people in understanding work environment and expectations
identifying other social needs such as housing, health and counselling
preparing them for work.

Programme fund

To support young people with costs associated with education and training, consider using the Programme Fund.

Work and Income funded activities

You can (where appropriate) refer young people to a Work and Income funded activity. Work and Income have the tools and resources to help them get the skills they need to get into work.

You should consider this as part of your regular engagements for young people who just want to go to work and update their youth service plan and exit plan so you're prepared for when they start working.

mana in mahi

Mana in Mahi is an initiative designed to support young people into full-time work. It matches employers with young people who are keen to start a career. It supports young people to achieve a formal industry qualification or apprenticeship and also helps the employer's business grow.

Who can get it?

You will need to work with the young person to address any barriers and challenges, identify pre-employment training options (if required) and support the young person into Mana in Mahi.

Entry to Mana in Mahi will depend on the young person's situation and what help they'll need to see if Mana in Mahi is the right option for them.

As the young person enters Mana in Mahi, they'll receive the skills and experience through an industry-led training pathway that has the potential to lead to a trade or recognised industry qualification.

What they'll get

If the young person takes part in Mana in Mahi, they'll get either part-time or full-time work, on-the-job training and support towards an NZQA-approved qualification at apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship level, additional learning support and a dedicated person to talk to if they're having any problems.

They'll also get help to increase their confidence, earn incentives along the way and take control of their future.

skills for industry

Young people may be able to get help with short job-focused training to help them get skills they may need to get into work.

Work and Income have partnered with employers and training providers and have developed a skills training Industry Partnership programme to help young people gain employment.

Referring a young person to an Industry Partnership programme

If you have a young person who is interested in exploring industry opportunities email us for the list of Industry Partnerships in your area.

If the referral process is via an online form you can refer the young person to the programme yourself.
If the referral is via an MSD case manager or work broker contact your local Work and Income Service Centre.
If the referral is via a named Industry Partnership account manager then you can contact them at industrypartnerships@msd.govt.nz