Youth Services
Youth Services is a free youth coaching and mentoring service providing wraparound support for young people with the aim of preparing them for long term employment.
If you’re 16-17 years old and need help with your education, training and work-based learning, Youth Services may be able to help you.
What is Youth Services
Visionwest Youth Solutions is a registered provider of the Youth Service programme – Ratonga Taiohi. We offer three Youth Service programmes:
Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
Youth Payment (YP) and Young Parent Payment (YPP)
He Poutama Rangatahi for rangatahi Māori aged 15 to 24 years who are not in education,
We will provide you with the guidance, practical support and encouragement needed to create a plan relating to work or training that suits your skills and potential. We can also assist with benefit entitlements for 16 and 17 year-olds.
Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET):
Provides one-on-one mentoring for young people aged 15*, 16 or 17 years, who currently have no or low qualifications, or are not in education, employment, or further education.
*Special criteria apply for 15-year-olds.
Sign up for the NEET programme and your mentor will walk alongside you throughout your education and training, so you never feel like you are doing it all on your own. Your mentor will help you:
Discuss your needs and set goals for a successful future.
Come up with a personalised action plan on how to achieve those goals.
Support you in your education and training, and help you stay on track.
You will also be supported with:
Putting together a strong CV.
Searching for a job.
Learning the job interview skills that will prepare you for the next season in your life.
Our approach is holistic; that means, when it’s appropriate, we also connect with your whānau to ensure those closest to you are supporting you through this journey.
Youth Payment (YP) and Young Parent Payment (YPP):
Provides support for 16 – 20-year-olds who require independent living with financial support through Work and Income, and for young parents who require financial support.
Youth payment helps to cover your living costs so you can focus on training for your future. To receive the payment, you need to be in full-time education or training, or working towards qualifications as part of a job.
Your Visionwest mentor will help you figure out what education or training is best for you and support you to succeed at it. Your mentor will help you set goals for your future and walk alongside you as you work to achieve those goals. We will also assist with the Work and Income requirements required to ensure you are eligible for any financial payments.
As a Youth Service Provider, we work with young people referred from Avondale, Glenmall and Westgate Work and Income offices.
He Poutama Rangatahi
He Poutama Rangatahi is a youth employment programme aimed at improving education, training, and employment outcomes for rangatahi Māori aged 15 to 24 years who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) or are at risk of becoming NEET (at key transition points).
He Poutama Rangatahi is one of our Kaupapa Māori services.