With the Central Coast's youth unemployment rate at 12.1%, higher than the National rate by 1.5%, some young people are at risk of becoming long term unemployed. Youth with low skills, minimal qualifications and limited work experience has been a discouraging factor for prospective employers who may be seeking experienced or qualified staff.
To avoid the Central Coast falling victim to inherent intergenerational disadvantage, a strong need exists to encourage employers to take on an apprentice or trainee.
With most of the 19% of Central Coast residents employed in the trade and technician sector falling into the 35-64 age bracket, great opportunity exists for knowledge and expertise to be passed on to our local youth.
Interestingly, the Central Coast's smallest resident age group is 25-34, which suggests younger people are moving to more highly populated areas where it is perceived more career opportunities can be found.
While hiring experienced and qualified staff has traditionally been difficult for employers, there is a large and untapped potential workforce of eager and willing youth seeking their own opportunity to succeed.
Much responsibility lies upon Local and State Government to promote the uptake of apprenticeships and traineeships; however employers, particularly those working in a skills shortage area, also have a duty to encourage youth to seek careers within these fields.
With more young people taking on careers within skills shortage areas, the Central Coast would have greater opportunity to prosper in years to come.
To find out more about employing an apprentice or trainee for your business, call CCGT on 4353 2655 or submit your enquiry online.
To view the 2011 NSW Skills Shortage list, click here.
