Government announces Mana in Mahi or Strength in Work scheme

The scheme, dubbed Mana in Mahi or Strength in Work, is for 18 to 24-year-olds who have been on a benefit for six months or more.

Employers will be encouraged to take on the apprentices for one year to work towards a level 4 qualification.

The income equivalent of the person’s benefit will be paid to the employer and the employer will be expected to top that up to at least the minimum wage.

Employers will also be supported with extra funding for pastoral care at a cost between $3000 and $6000 giving the scheme a total price tag of between $12 million and $24 million depending on the uptake.

Mana in Mahi will start with a pilot for up to 150 people and more places will be made available from next year.

Employment Minister Willie Jackson said 4000 apprentices was aspirational and it would be important to make sure all the settings were right in the pilot so employers were incentivised to take part.

READ MORE at Radio New Zealand

LISTEN HERE to Mike Hosking and BCITO’s CEO Warwick Quinn ahead of the Prime minister’s announcement.  Source: Newstalk ZB