Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Scully -

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, youth unemployment was double the national unemployment average;

(ii)        in recent weeks, youth unemployment has risen to 16.4 per cent, the highest rate in 23 years;

(iii)      the youth unemployment crisis is compounded by a shortfall in training and education opportunities;

(iv)      businesses forced to shut down disproportionately affected young people who rely on the casual employment system in sectors like hospitality and retail;

(v)       the City currently employs 30 young people through our development programs, paid internships, apprenticeships, cadetships and graduates;

(vi)       the City also provides traineeships through external trainee suppliers, a partnership with AFL SportsReady since 2013, and the ArtsReady program;

(vii)     the City has consistently supported young workers, however, the consequences of the pandemic require all avenues of employment to be investigated; and

(viii)    the Federal Government's recently announced $2 billion JobTrainer package, $1.5 billion of which is targeted towards keeping those already employed in apprenticeships and traineeships and the additional final $500 million, which must be matched by the states and territories, aimed at school leavers and those currently looking for employment;

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to investigate opportunities for the City to employ additional numbers of school leavers and unemployed young Australians in apprenticeships and traineeships; and

(C)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian urging her to match the Federal governments funding to support young people and their employment.

Carried unanimously.

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