Post by Banjo on Feb 21, 2015 10:32:04 GMT 7
Work for the dole needs to be in the private sector
Australia's peak business body wants to expand the work for the dole scheme, allowing the private sector to use young unemployed workers who would be paid for from the public purse as a way of addressing youth unemployment.
Youth joblessness has risen to 14.2 per cent, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the highest rate since 1998 and more than double the proportion of people aged over 25 seeking work.
Chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kate Carnell described the increase in unemployment for people aged 15-24 as "the most concerning issue confronting business in this country."
"We think there's a very real chance that unless the youth unemployment issue is addressed – and it will need to be addressed quite aggressively – that we will end up with a generation of young people on the fringes of the economy," she said.
The ACCI is lobbying the federal government to extend the work for the dole program, which currently covers not-for-profit organisations and government agencies, to small business.
Ms Carnell said work for the dole placements would not replace existing paid staff and the employer would have to provide a level of training and skills development.
"Instead of getting people on work for the dole programs to pick up papers and the like, we think the program should be expanded into small business where the participants could learn some skills," she said.
"Even if it's just learning how to make a coffee or serving customers, that would make them more employable. We think that could be a real win for young people."
She also said unfair dismissal laws needed to be modified to give employers greater flexibility to hire and fire.
"It needs to be easier for small to medium businesses to employ people but that means it needs to be easier for them to downsize as well," she said.
"The dilemma for small to medium businesses is that unfair dismissal laws make it really scary for them to take on new people. They are not willing to put on extra staff so those young people just aren't getting jobs or experience so fundamentally everyone is a loser."
Executive director of the Brotherhood of St Laurence Tony Nicholson said the rising ranks of young unemployed would be better be addressed through a new national transition program to help young people move from education into work.
Youth Connections, a federal program which helped young people get year 12 or equivalent qualifications to assist them into the workforce, lost funding last year.
Mr Nicholson also questioned the quality of careers counselling in schools, echoing the position of the NSW Business Chamber which has raised concerns that schools are too focused on academic subjects rather than courses which will help young people find work.
"First and foremost they need good careers advice," he said. " Young people need information on where the jobs are and I'm not sure they are getting that."
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/nsw/work-for-the-dole-needs-to-be-in-the-private-sector-acci-20150220-13kbhh.html
Australia's peak business body wants to expand the work for the dole scheme, allowing the private sector to use young unemployed workers who would be paid for from the public purse as a way of addressing youth unemployment.
Youth joblessness has risen to 14.2 per cent, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the highest rate since 1998 and more than double the proportion of people aged over 25 seeking work.
Chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kate Carnell described the increase in unemployment for people aged 15-24 as "the most concerning issue confronting business in this country."
"We think there's a very real chance that unless the youth unemployment issue is addressed – and it will need to be addressed quite aggressively – that we will end up with a generation of young people on the fringes of the economy," she said.
The ACCI is lobbying the federal government to extend the work for the dole program, which currently covers not-for-profit organisations and government agencies, to small business.
Ms Carnell said work for the dole placements would not replace existing paid staff and the employer would have to provide a level of training and skills development.
"Instead of getting people on work for the dole programs to pick up papers and the like, we think the program should be expanded into small business where the participants could learn some skills," she said.
"Even if it's just learning how to make a coffee or serving customers, that would make them more employable. We think that could be a real win for young people."
She also said unfair dismissal laws needed to be modified to give employers greater flexibility to hire and fire.
"It needs to be easier for small to medium businesses to employ people but that means it needs to be easier for them to downsize as well," she said.
"The dilemma for small to medium businesses is that unfair dismissal laws make it really scary for them to take on new people. They are not willing to put on extra staff so those young people just aren't getting jobs or experience so fundamentally everyone is a loser."
Executive director of the Brotherhood of St Laurence Tony Nicholson said the rising ranks of young unemployed would be better be addressed through a new national transition program to help young people move from education into work.
Youth Connections, a federal program which helped young people get year 12 or equivalent qualifications to assist them into the workforce, lost funding last year.
Mr Nicholson also questioned the quality of careers counselling in schools, echoing the position of the NSW Business Chamber which has raised concerns that schools are too focused on academic subjects rather than courses which will help young people find work.
"First and foremost they need good careers advice," he said. " Young people need information on where the jobs are and I'm not sure they are getting that."
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/nsw/work-for-the-dole-needs-to-be-in-the-private-sector-acci-20150220-13kbhh.html
