15 Jun 2012

Govt streamlining employment programmes

6:34 am on 15 June 2012

The Government is streamlining its employment programmes to make it easier for businesses to hire young people at risk of long term welfare dependence.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Job Streams will consolidate the Job Ops and Straight to Work employment programmes.

She says the first part will create flexible wage subsidies up to $21,000 per year for those at highest risk of staying on long-term welfare dependence.

Ms Bennett says the second part will look at subsidising job-focused training for young people at a cost of up to $7000 per person.