Wonderful world of work or just wishful thinking?

Presenter: Jason Hickson

HEADINGSUB-HEADING

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKViews from different groups

Proportion who believe that there are currently not enough work opportunities for young

people in the HunterYoung people still at school 45%

Young people who had finished school and under 25

36%

Hunter residents 67%Upper Hunter residents 70%

Hunter businesses 57%

• Least optimistic: Residents of Upper Hunter

• Most optimistic:Finished school, under 25

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKLong term: Taking the long way home

• Some responders were still optimistic about future prospects even if opportunities did not exist now locally

• Even if work took them away, a number of focus group participants expressed a desire to want to return to the Hunter one day

• Diversification that leads to retention of skills in the Hunter is key to avoiding a skills shortage or “brain drain” locally.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKWhat are we missing?

For those who felt that there were not opportunities locally for young people, we wanted to know what those opportunities were:

• Design• Engineering and science• Arts• Media • Information Technology

WORK EXPERIENCE

WORK EXPERIENCEWhat do we want and how do we get it?

• There appears to be a disconnect between workplaces offering work experience and young people

• Responders felt that work experience opportunities were limited or not adequately credited during high school

• Significant portion of businesses do offer work experience locally

WORK EXPERIENCE

WORK EXPERIENCEWhere is improvement needed?

• Increase work experience opportunities in the Hunter

• Raise awareness of existing work experience options

• Improve communication between businesses and schools about work experience options

REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKLocal firms doing the heavy lifting

• Local unemployment for young people is still high

• Businesses are doing their bit to help out with more than 70% currently or previously employing young people

• How do young people make themselves more attractive employees?

REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKTAFE? University? Both? Neither?

Impact on young people future employment:

Hunter Residents

Upper Hunter Residents

Still At High School

Finished High School

Get a University degree

No impact at all 6% 10% 5% 2%

Minor impact 17% 19% 22% 22%

Moderate impact 39% 35% 29% 28%

Major impact 35% 32% 44% 49%

Get a TAFE qualification

No impact at all 2% 1% 3% 2%

Minor impact 13% 12% 19% 24%

Moderate impact 42% 40% 47% 50%

Major impact 41% 45% 31% 24%

PARTING THOUGHTSThe challenges we face…

• Lack of diversity in employment options and pathways

• Lack of opportunities in engineering, media, science, ICT locally

• More effective communication around work experience from all stakeholders

Thank you!