When I first saw the bit about getting young people into jobs and off the benefit, my first reaction was good, motivate them into work. I see that there is also a carrot being offered, not just the stick.

I looked a bit more though, its not that black and white. Seek has about 2200 jobs in Christchurch, Trademe has about 1700, and presumably many of these are duplicates. I'd be surprised if the actual number is more than maybe 2500. Thats across all industries and all levels. Take out the jobs that need experience, qualifications and/or specialised skills / licenses and I'd hate to think what the no of jobs in Canterbury are for inexperienced youth and this is the country's 2nd largest city!

I know from my sons experience, took him 12 months + to get a full time job after his uni degree, and that job was created for him after doing some temp work at the company and not really related at all to the degree he has.

There is simply no motivation for businesses to hire inexperienced workers and give them a chance. Minimum wage for a 40 hour week is now just under $50k, thats a big expense for many small - medium businesses to incur on a resource which is largely unproven in the working world. Factor in the minefield that is employment law and if the business gets something slightly wrong in their processes, the costs can be significant. Theres the argument that if someone is in business then they should know about laws and be all over things, but how many businesses have the resources for that?

I don't know what the solution is, its not throwing more money at welfare, but its not cutting peoples lunch either. Provide incentives to business somehow without it being seen as the Govt simply "looking after their rich mates"?