Young people in Wagga are struggling to find full time work, making a mockery of the region’s low unemployment figures.
While the Riverina has Australia’s lowest regional unemployment at 3.3 per cent, there are a number of young people who are under-employed. They want to work, but can’t.
Jencie Brennan has been looking for a full time job since she finished her HSC last year, but aside from a three-month temporary job in an office, she hasn’t had any luck getting something permanent.
“I’ve been applying for jobs non-stop but it’s difficult,” Ms Brennan said.
“It gets a bit repetitive – handing in a resume, applying for jobs online or via Facebook and then not hearing anything back.
“I loved the full time work, I want to do it again.”
Megan Mulrooney, from Wagga youth employment company Compact, said she was seeing young people with two or three casual jobs trying to have a go in the workforce.
“It’s very frustrating,” Ms Mulrooney said.
“Young people want to work but a lot of employers don’t even want to agree to a work placement.
“We’re lucky there are businesses who do take students time and again, but some don’t think it’s their problem.”
According to Ms Mulrooney, young people wanting to get experience in growth industries like health and aged care find it tough even getting their foot in the door.
“If they don’t give these young people a chance down the track there’ll be no one to do the job,” Ms Mulrooney said.
“They have to leave these regional centres to get work and then they don’t come back. If we don’t train the young people and improve their skill base we’ll lose all our talent.”
The western Riverina is ahead of Wagga in addressing the problem of “training and retaining” youth, thanks in part to pioneering programs like ‘Grow Our Own’.
The program was developed by groups in Leeton and Griffith in conjunction with Deakin University and the private sector to find new ways to get young people trained and employed locally.
Nicola James, economic development manager at Leeton Shire Council, said it was about showing how businesses could attract and retain young people in the area.
“There’s a massive need to attract skilled workers and at the same time invest in young people,” Ms James said.
“Deakin’s been a keen partner in this with TAFE by giving credits towards degrees and letting people study online so they can stay and work in the region.”
Stephen Mudd
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
