TYEE Work Ready Youth going out on a high note

12/11/2017

Work Readiness with a Christmas theme!

What a year 2017 it has been for TYEE and to go out on a high note celebrating another successful work readiness training program with youthful Christmas spirits, talents, music and cheers!

TYEE is pleased to announce the completion of its Work Readiness Training Program on Friday, 8th December 2017 and the last cycle of the training program for this year 2017 at the House of Tonga in Mailetaha, Nuku’alofa. The Work Readiness Program is proudly sponsored by the Australian Government funded program TONGA SKILLS for the second time this year after a successful pilot in July 2017. TYEE marked this special occasion with a Presentation of Certificates of Achievement, and Participation to eighteen out of twenty wonderful and passionate young change-makers who have successfully completed the program. The certificates were presented by the Skills Supply Support Advisor, TONGA SKILLS; Mrs. Francis Howes.

TYEE wishes to congratulate the Trainees for their commitment, hard-work and achievement.

TYEE chose to address an area of critical importance to Tonga’s future: putting every young person on a clear pathway to economic opportunity.

Today, over 32% of Tonga’s population are made up of our young people-youth. Young people who are disconnected from both school and jobs. From our experience and findings, it shows that connecting young people to the labour market early is critical for shaping their skills, attitudes, and outlook on life. But today, thousands of young people in Tonga can’t find a job. If we don’t act, young people will feel the effects of this nationwide problem long after the unemployment rate falls.

Long term, we will all feel the economic burden of youth unemployment. Taxpayers shouldered millions of dollars to compensate for lost taxes and direct costs to support the country’s disconnected youth, and that amount will grow over their lifetime.

If companies can offer young people paid jobs, great. But if they can’t, they should consider other ways to introduce young people to the business world and the knowledge, skills and attitude that are required to be successful in the workplace. This could take on many forms, from short-term career or job-shadowing days to long-term internships or mentoring programs.

Our gratitude and acknowledgment

TYEE would not be able to do this alone without the wonderful ongoing support and generosity of our development partners, educators, business leaders and our partner-employers, parents-families and the commitment of our participating youth.

TYEE would like to extend our sincere gratitude to DFAT funded programme Tonga Skills for sponsoring our Work Readiness training; firstly as a pilot in July 2017, and secondly this November-December 2017. Tonga Skills generosity has given hope and empowerment to a young generation that needs a better future. TYEE places a particular emphasis on those unemployed young people aged 18 to 29 who, due to personal circumstances, left school early and are considered school “drop outs”.

Thank you for enabling TYEE to better serve our youth with the right platform of opportunity and support and to effectively contribute to the solution of youth unemployment in Tonga.

We look forward to your continuous support and partnership so that we would be able to reach out to more unemployed youth in Tonga including the outer islands.

Connecting Youth and Business Leaders

Despite the barriers that the youth face, they remain optimistic, and want to take ownership of their lives. Nearly three in four believe that they will be able to achieve their goals. The young men want to be IT Technician working within the industry to solve problems; the young women want to be nurses, accountants, office receptionists / administrators, homecare service for the elderly, clerk, IT Technician, bankers, sales & marketing and starting their own business - being entrepreneurs!

"I am so grateful for TYEE and this training. I left school and I could not hold myself up to speak infront of someone or a group. When I did my presentation at school, I had to go to my teacher's office and present to my teacher alone. I just could not do it infront of the class. I was too shy and had no confidence in myself. After this programme, my biggest accomplishment is I am proud and happy to be able to shake off that fear. I am able to comfortably express myself infront of a group or on a one on one discussion. I feel very happy to be able to stand up for myself and seek the opportunities that are out there". -Mr. Lomu

But youth also recognise that they need help and they know they won't be able to reach these goals alone. They want help from educators who can guide them in their studies. They ask for support from business leaders who can mentor them in the workplace. And they desperately need the most vital piece to the puzzle which is the support from their parents and families. They ask if parents can be realistic with their expectations of them and their career choice and capability based on the youth own interest of the things they love to do (passion), good at (talents) and can do for others to earn an income (career)!

And recognising the dual challenge of youth needing to learn and earn simultaneously to support themselves and their families, nearly eight in ten young people would like jobs that allow them to earn money while attending school and gaining credentials, and seven in ten seek job training and apprenticeships that will give them on-the-job experience.

Post training, we are working with our partner employers to connect our Work Ready Youth with Business Leaders for job opportunities. Two trainees confirmed starting their new jobs after two days of training, with 4 other completing their first job interviews awaiting starting date, two trainees have secured jobs to start in the new year and the process continues for the remainder of the trainees.

Our alumni

We also welcomed our Alumni to the celebration who came to support our youth in making their transition to their first job. Many of alumni go on to achieve amazing things and return to give back to our youth and the community we are building together for the youth. We are grateful for Sela from Le-Ata Boutique Store and Jaycee from TCC for taking the time to speak with the trainees, for their encouraging advise and support through sharing their journeys in their respective careers.