New Zealand employment programme reaches 4,000 enrollments

New Zealand’s Community Job Coaching programme has reached a milestone with 4,000 young people enrolled. Launched by the Ministry of Social Development in October, the initiative provides 18–24-year-old jobseekers with up to 26 weeks of personalized employment coaching to help them overcome barriers to work.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston reported that the programme has already facilitated more than 640 paid work activities, including full-time, part-time, and casual roles. To date, 290 participants have transitioned from benefits into sustainable employment. Participants also receive up to 12 months of ongoing support after securing work to ensure a successful transition.

The programme is being delivered by community providers across several regions, including Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Wellington, Canterbury, and the Southern regions. The government aims to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker Support benefit by 50,000, citing concerns that early welfare dependency can lead to long-term cycles of unemployment.