A “win-win situation” is how a track maintenance programme involving the Department of Conservation and Gisborne Boys’ High School students has been described.
Over the past two weeks around 100 GBHS students have taken part in the Youthtown’s Youth Employability Programme (YEP) Licence to Work.
About 70 assisted with track maintenance at Gray’s Bush, where they laid 48 cubic metres of forest floor bark, while another 30 cleared walking tracks at Morere Hot Springs in preparation for its reopening.
“The activities, conducted in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DoC), provided the students an opportunity to practice and showcase the employability skills they have been learning through facilitated sessions in school,” said Gill Higgins - the YEP lead for Tairāwhiti.
She praised the students’ enthusiasm.
Their commitment has been inspiring to see as they completed this segment of the programme.”
DoC’s David Lynn also had nothing but praise for them.
“The young ones are great volunteer workers and it’s great to have them on board.
“Something that would take DoC staff weeks to do in-house, only took three to four hours with the Boys’ High students. It’s a win-win situation.
“We find that a lot of youth have not been to some of the reserves the department administers, so they get great benefit also in helping and seeing the environment.”
The Youth Employability Programme, Licence to Work, is a cross-sector, business-led initiative designed to respond to business and industry concerns that young people may not be developing the employability skills they need to succeed in the workplace.
The programme, delivered by trained facilitators in local schools, has been a fixture in Tairāwhiti since 2017.
“In 2024 we are able to deliver this programme, thanks to funding from Grassroots Trust Central,” Higgins said.
YEP prepares young people for the workforce by involving them in employability and work readiness sessions, 10 to 20 hours of voluntary work, and 30 to 80 hours of work experience with local employers.
“The programme equips students with lifelong skills crucial for securing and maintaining employment throughout their careers,” said Maria Jefferson from Gisborne Boys’ High’s careers/transition team.
“The voluntary component in the Licence to Work programme exemplifies one element of proven OECD best practice in the determination of work readiness in young people.
“We know that real world experiences help students to think critically about their future pathways. Working together for the benefit of our community encourages teamwork, communication and resilience.”
Local employers interested in supporting the programme can offer work experience placements in youth-friendly environments.
For more information about this opportunity and the LTW programme, email Gill Higgins at gill.higgins@youthtown.org.nz
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