Latest Unemployment Situation
If I took anything from the Friday morning Breakfast interview with Social Development minister Paula Bennett it was, she didn't have a clue as to what was going on and what the hell to do with it.
Reports are that the unemployment figure has increased from 6.4 to 6.8% during December. But this morning other than not hearing solutions the same age old excuse was once again pulled out and I have exceptional doubts as to their current validity. Saying, after over 2 years in power, using the excuse of what we inherited from the previous government is getting thin, and something people feel that does not apply anymore.
It is true, the recession didn't help at all. But also subsequent policy engagements of the National lead government haven't helped at all.
Working in the PTE sector for some years I have long thought the perpetual enrolment of students and the funding pool that comes with it was in need of severe review. For example, a student could 'theoretically' stay on a Training Opportunities (or TOPS) course forever. In one case I knew a student who had been on one for over 2 years, but had been on another course of the same funding nature for at least a year prior to that. I'm sure there have been more since and perhaps others even longer. It is in need of change. But the change that has come is far from the right one.
The fund administered from Work and Income by TEC (Tertiary Education Commission) has now been divided into two programme delivery avenues, via two funding pools.
TEC will fund some designated providers for a certain number of places, for a 26 week programme. This programme is for high needs clients. General characteristics, high literacy and numeracy needs, lacks core skills, high support needs as well as others. The expected outcome is that this person will go onto a second course (which I will yet explain) or into work. The client in this case can do no more than 2 of these nature courses in a year timeframe.
MSD (Ministry of Social Development (Work and Income) is a course of shorter duration for students of lesser needs but need some refinement in the skills already acquired, and want to brush up. Lower needs but still could have some help with literacy and numeracy. This course is 13 weeks and the expectation is that once these 13 weeks are completed, they enter the workforce.
See the problem? Both exiting into work...but the question remains...what work and having done a course which at most, MIGHT give them a couple of unit standards if they haven't already done them, but no qualifications and no experience.
It is obvious though that students on these courses are not going to be front line managers or executives right out of the bat. However, there are very few if any entry level jobs that. We all know what happened when Countdown opened in Manukau. Some 1500 applicants for 200 or so positions. There is a new food store opening in Hamilton, and according to the Waikato Times (05/02/2011), they have received over 80 applications for what is likely to only have a dozen or more slots to fill.
About 3 years ago, I was on the mailing list for the vacances that came through Work and Income. Often there were 7+ pages of opportunities of various types on an almost daily basis. The paper had 5+ pages of jobs to choose from.
Now...when I look at the work and income list on Friday there was 15 opportunities in the city, in the paper on Saturday there were 3 pages of opportunities...but not a lot first timers or in-experienced, unqualified people could apply for.
Take this into account. Since October last year I have applied for 67 opportunities for jobs I could easily do...nothing outside of the skill range I have or experience level I have. Tutorial roles, academic managers, trainers, all things I have done in my career in education in the past 15 years. Even a writer of assessments and learning materials which I have done for years and are still doing. I have had 2 interviews from those 67. Granted I am still working towards my BEd...but I have been an HOD with 22 staff and multiple degree and masterate holders under me. 2 interviews from 67 applications. Thats just under 3% for stats majors.
Its not easy to find a new job even when your in a job, and it gets depressing all the time when people say 'thank you, but no'. But thats their right of course, I do not dispute that. I've had to do that many times myself. But this is the nature of the beast right now. If qualified and experienced people are having a hard time finding work, what is to be said about people who are at the other end of the spectrum?
Reports are that the unemployment figure has increased from 6.4 to 6.8% during December. But this morning other than not hearing solutions the same age old excuse was once again pulled out and I have exceptional doubts as to their current validity. Saying, after over 2 years in power, using the excuse of what we inherited from the previous government is getting thin, and something people feel that does not apply anymore.
It is true, the recession didn't help at all. But also subsequent policy engagements of the National lead government haven't helped at all.
- Granted, the student loan scheme needed to be tightened up more, however some of the criteria now used to take a student loan in order to go and study will negate people being able to get one in the first place, preventing them studying at university or polytechnic or other places.
- Granted, the Training Opportunities (TOPS) funding methods needed to change, but the way in which it has changed, the length of the courses and the mandatory outcome of the courses, employment, in the current climate is next to impossible.
- The de-construction of the Adult Community Education programme hasn't helped. At times, those who were in work and who wanted to upskill, now have to find alternative options which at times are more expensive.
- The changes to Early Childhood Education, reductions in funding with little thought about the long term effects the reduction in funds reduces quality provision of service.
Working in the PTE sector for some years I have long thought the perpetual enrolment of students and the funding pool that comes with it was in need of severe review. For example, a student could 'theoretically' stay on a Training Opportunities (or TOPS) course forever. In one case I knew a student who had been on one for over 2 years, but had been on another course of the same funding nature for at least a year prior to that. I'm sure there have been more since and perhaps others even longer. It is in need of change. But the change that has come is far from the right one.
The fund administered from Work and Income by TEC (Tertiary Education Commission) has now been divided into two programme delivery avenues, via two funding pools.
TEC will fund some designated providers for a certain number of places, for a 26 week programme. This programme is for high needs clients. General characteristics, high literacy and numeracy needs, lacks core skills, high support needs as well as others. The expected outcome is that this person will go onto a second course (which I will yet explain) or into work. The client in this case can do no more than 2 of these nature courses in a year timeframe.
MSD (Ministry of Social Development (Work and Income) is a course of shorter duration for students of lesser needs but need some refinement in the skills already acquired, and want to brush up. Lower needs but still could have some help with literacy and numeracy. This course is 13 weeks and the expectation is that once these 13 weeks are completed, they enter the workforce.
See the problem? Both exiting into work...but the question remains...what work and having done a course which at most, MIGHT give them a couple of unit standards if they haven't already done them, but no qualifications and no experience.
It is obvious though that students on these courses are not going to be front line managers or executives right out of the bat. However, there are very few if any entry level jobs that. We all know what happened when Countdown opened in Manukau. Some 1500 applicants for 200 or so positions. There is a new food store opening in Hamilton, and according to the Waikato Times (05/02/2011), they have received over 80 applications for what is likely to only have a dozen or more slots to fill.
About 3 years ago, I was on the mailing list for the vacances that came through Work and Income. Often there were 7+ pages of opportunities of various types on an almost daily basis. The paper had 5+ pages of jobs to choose from.
Now...when I look at the work and income list on Friday there was 15 opportunities in the city, in the paper on Saturday there were 3 pages of opportunities...but not a lot first timers or in-experienced, unqualified people could apply for.
Take this into account. Since October last year I have applied for 67 opportunities for jobs I could easily do...nothing outside of the skill range I have or experience level I have. Tutorial roles, academic managers, trainers, all things I have done in my career in education in the past 15 years. Even a writer of assessments and learning materials which I have done for years and are still doing. I have had 2 interviews from those 67. Granted I am still working towards my BEd...but I have been an HOD with 22 staff and multiple degree and masterate holders under me. 2 interviews from 67 applications. Thats just under 3% for stats majors.
Its not easy to find a new job even when your in a job, and it gets depressing all the time when people say 'thank you, but no'. But thats their right of course, I do not dispute that. I've had to do that many times myself. But this is the nature of the beast right now. If qualified and experienced people are having a hard time finding work, what is to be said about people who are at the other end of the spectrum?
Labels: Economy, Education, Employment opportunities, National Party
posted by Wiremu Bayliss at
1:16 pm
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