Forum shines spotlight on youth unemployment
November 1, 2013
More than 100 local employers, dignitaries, community leaders and Sunshine Coast youths will converge on the Innovation Centre on Tuesday, 12 November to address costs of high youth unemployment in the region and discuss strategies for preparing local youths for the workforce as part of the Sunshine Coast Business Council’s Youth Prosperity Forum.
Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said with the region’s youth unemployment rate almost three times higher than the Sunshine Coast’s overall unemployment rate, action needed to be taken to secure long-term positions for more local young people.
“The Sunshine Coast is currently experiencing a youth unemployment rate of between 17 and 18 per cent, which is particularly alarming when you consider the region’s overall unemployment rate sits at around 6.7 per cent,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“This unfortunately has a range of negative social, heath and economic impacts on the local community, with research showing that unemployed young people living on the Sunshine Coast experience higher rates of depression, anxiety and self-harming behaviours.”
“It is also apparent that of those youth who are neither employed nor studying, 37 per cent are living below the poverty line.”
Ms Zubrinich said the statistics painted a worrying picture for the Sunshine Coast community, and she called on local business owners and government officials to join in discussions aimed at reversing the trend of high youth unemployment.
“There’s no doubt that the construction, retail and tourism industries have faced some challenging times in recent years, so it’s understandable that employment opportunities have been limited,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“As our economy strengthens once again, it’s crucial that the government and business sectors band together to tackle this issue head-on.”
Ms Zubrinich said the upcoming Youth Prosperity Forum was set to include presentations from a wide range of researchers and industry leaders in championing youth support initiatives, including keynote speaker and macroeconomist David Rumbens.
“Mr Rumbens will identify growth areas for the Sunshine Coast and outline how the local community can best position itself and our young people to ride the wave of success,” Ms Zubrinch said.
“Event attendees will also learn more about the changing face of the labour market for youths and the benefits of employing young people.”
Guest speakers include Kylee Bates from Mission Australia, Ivan Neville and Kris McCue from the Department of Employment, Paul Moreton from Integrated Family & Youth Service and Jody Tunnicliffe from the St Vincent de Paul Society.
The Sunshine Coast Business Council Youth Prosperity Forum will be held between 1.00pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, 12 November at the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast. Tickets cost $20 for Sunshine Coast Business Council members and $25 for non-members. Entry is free for those aged 25 and under.
For more information, please visit www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au or call (07) 5444 3909.
//Ends.
Interviews: Ms Zubrinich is available for interviews on request.
Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing, P: 0410 109 102, E: maya@freshprm.com.au
[nggallery id=85]
