One of Tasmania’s most pressing social and economic problems – youth unemployment – should be addressed through firm Government action to require young people to ‘learn or earn’, said Labor candidate for Denison Dr Julian Amos.
Getting young people into work requires a package of policy actions involving:
• Investing in the early years so kids are school-ready.
• Ensuring schools offer courses and training relevant to the modern workplace and economy.
• Keeping students in school longer.
• Getting the policy settings right, so the private sector can employ more young job seekers.
• Using the Government’s role as an employer to keep young Tasmanians job ready and with some work experience as the economy turns the corner.
The Premier’s announcement today entitled ‘Creating Opportunities for Young Tasmanians’ was an important aspect of a broader Government approach to the issue.
Of the 5 elements above, we also need to seriously consider extending the leaving age. “In addition to the new initiatives announced today, I believe we need to consider extending the compulsory schooling period. Leaving school at year 10 and doing nothing should no longer be an option”, said Dr Amos.
An essential aspect of being market ready is the ability to read, write and count at a functional level”, said Dr Amos. An extra year of schooling will assist in this regard. “Every additional year of schooling increases your chance of getting a job. For many years I have argued we should aim to increase the school leaving age and I now believe this should be lifted to year 11 to enable young job seekers to be more market ready.
Labor candidate for Denison Dr Julian Amos
