About YTS
The Counties Manukau Youth Transition Service
The Counties Manukau Youth Transition Service mobilises, coordinates and supports the smooth transition of at-risk school leavers (aged 15 – 19) into further education, training, employment and other constructive activities. It networks with other agencies to provide support and interventions which will promote successful outcomes for students and their families.
The expansion of CMYTS supports the joint Government and Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs initiative to ensure that by 2007, all 15-19 years olds are in work, education, training or other meaningful activities. The continuing goal of this initiative is a positive contribution to at-risk school leavers’ long-term economic independence and wellbeing.
The Counties Manukau Youth Transition Service provides practical intervention for youth aged 15 – 19 by:
- following up school leavers at risk of making a poor transition
- referring them to appropriate opportunities and services
- expanding opportunities available in a particular locality
- improving strategic planning to meet local needs
- promoting positive attitudes and expectations about participation in education, developmental activities, and work.
We are happy to support youth from all areas of Counties Manukau, so if you want to speak to us about the CMYTS, please contact us.
Our job is to support you.
What is the CMYTS?
The Counties Manukau Youth Transition Service (CMYTS) is run by Solomon Group.
Solomon Group is a Maori PTE based in Manurewa with a focus on literacy and numeracy.
How the CMYTS Works
The Youth Transition Service, co-ordinated through the Minister of Social Development (MSD) provides funding for regional programmes which:
- Provide at risk youth aged 15 – 19 with access to career planning and job-seeking help
- Encourage and assist youth aged 15 – 19 to take advantage of education and training opportunities
- Provide school-leavers with customised support and guidance to facilitate their pathway into work, education or training
In Counties Manukau, the Youth Transition Services is based at Solomon Group, 236 Great South Road Manurewa. We have six Youth Coaches, an Administrator and two Regional Coordinators and anyone can call us on 0800 6987 48 to talk about our service. If this is out of hours, please leave a voice message and one of our CMYTS staff will call you back.
In order to provide a good service we work and talk with a number of different groups.
History of YTS
In 2003, Cabinet identified transition services for at-risk school leavers as one of the three priorities for achieving progress towards the joint Government and Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs objective of having all 15-19 year olds in work, education, training or other activities.
By international standards, New Zealand has a relatively high level of young people who are not in work, education or training. Compared to other countries, our youth unemployment rates are higher. Tackling youth economic inactivity is important for both social and economic development. Young people who experience prolonged inactivity are at a heightened risk of a range of poor lifetime outcomes including lower earnings, higher rates of unemployment, criminal offending and mental ill health.
The majority of school leavers between the ages of 15-17 years are ineligible for social assistance and consequently, only a minority is registered with Work and Income. The gap in service provision affects a significant number of young people. Therefore, Youth Transition Services are a step towards filling this gap.