$37 Million a week

[artemis]

.....Do none of our training organisations provide training for the unemployed? Very confusing.

One of ours is a recent registered tradie (plumber and gasfitter). He started out by doing a polytech foundation course, and said of the 20 or so that started only 4 finished. All (or most that left, not sure) were there collecting Jobseeker benefit, and the course was requirement by WINZ. Some left in the first week.

Our small tradie firm has taken a few off Jobseeker (no subsidy or anything), most low average and didn't last long. We don't do it any more - too high maintenance. What we can't do ourselves we sub out mostly to other small outfits.

[Aaron]

One of ours is a recent registered tradie (plumber and gasfitter). He started out by doing a polytech foundation course, and said of the 20 or so that started only 4 finished. All (or most that left, not sure) were there collecting Jobseeker benefit, and the course was requirement by WINZ. Some left in the first week.

Our small tradie firm has taken a few off Jobseeker (no subsidy or anything), most low average and didn't last long. We don't do it any more - too high maintenance. What we can't do ourselves we sub out mostly to other small outfits.

So at least some of the people who are unemployed aren't interested in working? That would be a shame not only because they are genuine bludgers but more so if it meant Adrian Orr keeps pumping house prices up to get them to work.

Is it possible removing the chance for social mobility might discourage some people. I guess I have a narrow focus and the people in power need to consider a lot more things.

[artemis]

So at least some of the people who are unemployed aren't interested in working? That would be a shame not only because they are genuine bludgers but more so if it meant Adrian Orr keeps pumping house prices up to get them to work.

Is it possible removing the chance for social mobility might discourage some people. I guess I have a narrow focus and the people in power need to consider a lot more things.

Suspect some of the leavers from the foundation course had little background in processing information and book work stuff. We do hear that there are significant levels of functional illiteracy and innumeracy among school leavers, and they would struggle in a classroom situation. That would be a reason to leave quickly. A polytech course and then an apprenticeship only needs average smarts but does need a basic education, motivation and hopefully family support.

Don't know what the answer is but the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff is way too late. And if young people don't get to work, or study, they start to sink pretty fast and then cheaper to just pay them the dole. And it's not like there are not plenty of black / grey economy jobs to supplement the benefit with cash in hand.