Starting out in the workforce should be exciting - a chance to learn, grow, and step into independence. But for many rangatahi, the journey to that first job comes with real challenges. In New Zealand unemployment rates for young people are much higher than the rest of the population - nearly 1 in 4 youth aged 15-19 are unemployed, compared with just 5.2% overall. 

At Youthtown, we don’t see this as a reason to despair - we see it as a call to action. 

The barriers young people face 

We know young people often feel stuck in a catch-22: employers want experience, but you need a job to gain that experience. On top of this, entry-level roles are more likely to be part-time or casual making stability hard to find. And with around 90,000 young people not in education, employment, or training at any one time, it’s clear that support is needed to bridge the gap. 

Practical challenges like transport, digital access and rising living costs can make it even harder for rangatahi to break through. And for some, discrimination or systemic inequities add further barriers. We believe when young people are given the right tools, mentoring, and encouragement these challenges can be overcome. 

How Youthtown is making a difference 

That’s where Youthtown’s Youth Employability Programme in New Zealand is helping young people step confidently into employment. We’ve designed a pathway that gives rangatahi not just the skills to get a job, but the confidence to thrive once they’re there. 

Through hands-on workshops, mentoring, and real-world practice, young people learn to: 

• Recognise and strengthen the transferable skills employers value most 

• Build confidence through role plays, interview preparation, and workplace simulations 

• Develop resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities 

• Explore career pathways that match their strengths and passions 

What makes our programme unique is its focus on practical experience. Each participant contributes to community service projects, giving back to their local area and allowing them to receive real time feedback on the 7 employability skills they are building - positive attitude, communication, teamwork, willingness to learn, self-management, thinking skills/problem solving, and resilience. The programme offers three levels of achievement. This gives participants, and our delivery partners, the option to add work experience for those rangatahi who are ready to step into the world of work. 

The transformation is powerful with young people who once doubted themselves starting to see their own potential. Schools and whānau notice the change too - rangatahi becoming more motivated, future-focused, and ready to contribute to their communities. 

A recent participant in the programme started his journey unsure about his future. He was struggling to balance sports, work, and family after school. By his final session on the programme, he’d found the perfect path! Inspired during the programme, he decided to become a baker and explored both tertiary education and apprenticeship options. Despite hesitations about early mornings, he landed an apprenticeship that starts later in the morning, which is the ideal fit for his lifestyle and goals. 

Youth employment statistics may look tough, but they don’t tell the whole story. Every day, we see young people stepping up, gaining confidence, and moving towards bright futures with the right support behind them. 

At Youthtown, our purpose is simple: to empower young people to be the best they can be. Through our Youth Employability Programme, we’re turning challenges into opportunities and helping rangatahi take their place in the workforce with skills to thrive in long-term employment. 

👉 Learn more about our Youth Employability Programme here. 

Article added: Tuesday 14 October 2025