FAQs

Q. What is youth unemployment?

The level of youth unemployment in the Illawarra has been an issue in the media. The level of youth unemployment is determined by looking at those youth who are looking for work, available to work and not employed as a percentage of the total labour force. The unemployment rate for any group is defined as the number of unemployed persons expressed as a percentage of the labour force (employed plus unemployed).

One of the issues in measuring youth unemployment is that the overall participation rate is low as many young people are still at school. Therefore the total number of unemployed appears as a larger proportion of the total number of those participating in the workforce due to the smaller number in the workforce.

For more information on how the unemployment rate is worked out and measured go to the ABS 6102.0 - Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2001 at the following link:

Click here to go to the ABS site

Q. What causes youth unemployment?

Some of the factors that contribute to youth unemployment include a lack of suitable jobs for young people due to the structural and technological changes that have occurred in the workplace over the past few decades and a consequent loss of unskilled fulltime jobs.

Additionally, a lack of education or other alternative skills based vocational qualifications also contribute to a young persons employment prospects as well as their level of literacy and numeracy.

Issues of personal health and social stress can affect a person’s ability to find and keep suitable employment opportunities.

A person’s previous experience of unemployment or a lack of work experience are also contributing factors, as well asin some instances a lack of family support.

As education plays an important role in increasing the employment prospects of the young, it is important for young people to continue with learning whether it be at school, TAFE, or formal on the job training.

Q. If I am unemployed where can I go for help?

Your previous school careers advisor, Job Network Providers, TAFE are all good place to start. The Shellharbour TAFE contact details are:

Shellharbour TAFE
Lake Entrance Road
Warilla
(PO Box 78, Shellharbour Square 2529)
Ph: (02) 4295 2200
Fax: (02) 4295 2272
Click here for the Institute website
Counselling and Career Services (TAFE NSW Counsellors) Phone: (02) 4295 2234

OR

TAFE NSW Information Centre on 131 601 for assistance.

Q. How can I keep my job?

• Now that you have your job it is important to keep it. Some simple tips to keeping a job are:
• Be punctual;
• Always be polite, courteous and respectful of others;
• Regularly ask your new Manager for feedback on how you are going? Is there anywhere you think I need to improve? Keep notes on these discussions.
• Generally ask at the end of the first day, first week, first month and then at the end of every quarter.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for training if there is something you do not know.
• If you aren’t sure what to do, it is important to ask?
• Keep a note book and write down instructions or procedures or directions. When you are learning new things it is hard to take it all in. This way you can come back to it later.
• Safety is very important. Always make sure you do things in a safe manner. If you have any safety concerns, immediately seek advice or assistance.

Q. Education: One key to finding the job you want

Research shows that the longer you stay at school and the higher your level of educational attainment the better your chances of employability. Today’s education system has many more options for students than were ever previously available. Now days even if you are not going to go to university you can still stay at school and complete job relevant training such as school based apprenticeships and traineeships, as well as a range of vocational education qualifications. If the school environment is not for you, students in the Illawarra have the opportunity to study at the Senior College or attend any one of a number of TAFE colleges. There are many options available to you. It is a matter for you to determine which is the best option for you.

Q. Maths & English: Important skills for your future career

There is also a link between a person’s employability and their numeracy and literacy levels. If you are still at school and believe you require additional assistance in this area, it is important to speak to your year adviser or deputy. If you have already left school and feel this is an area you can improve in, TAFE NSW provides numeracy and literacy courses for young adults. You can obtain more information about the programs offered by TAFE by contacting your local TAFE.

Q. Getting work experience to improve your opportunities

Obtaining work experience is a valuable opportunity for you to assess whether the job is the type of job you want. It also gives you an opportunity to get some experience and skills in your area of interest.

Q. Volunteer to improve your work skills

Similarly, volunteering gives you an opportunity not only to contribute to your community but also to learn new skills and gain valuable experience that can be helpful when looking for work. There are many local organisations that welcome young volunteers.

They include
• St Vincent De Paul
• Council Bushcare Programs
• Land Care and Coast Care Programs
• Warrigal Care
• PCYC
• SES

For more information on volunteering Click here for the Volunteering Illawarra Website

Q. A great resume for a great job

Creating an up to date resume is important. It needs to be typed and set out professionally. Your schools careers advisor will be able to provide you with an example.

If you are unemployed or working less than 15 hours a week, agencies such as Campbell Page or the Job Network can provide assistance in preparing a resume and finding work.

Useful links also include:

Seek
Reswriter

Q. Applying for a job?

When applying for a job always phone the contact person listed to get a better understanding of what the job involves and what additional information they have available about the job or organisation that may be helpful to you in preparing your application. This information will help you to tailor your application, helping you to get your application through the selection process without being culled.

In your cover letter explain what interests you in applying for the job; your skills and experience as it is relevant to the job and the personal attributes you will bring to the job.

Once you have prepared a draft make sure at least two people proofread your application.

Make sure you ask if the job has specific selection criteria. If it does, you will need to address the specific selection citeria in either your cover letter or in an appendix. For Example, a job may require customer service skills. A sample response may be:

“I have volunteered for the past two years for the Red Cross door knock appeal. As a volunteer I learnt to be polite, greet people, introduce myself, tell them what I was there for, advise them of the benefits provided by the Salvation Army to the community and how helpful their contribution would be to the important work that they do. I advised them that their contribution was tax deductible. If they made a donation I provided them with a receipt. When I came across a difficult customer I was polite, thanked them for their time and moved on. As a result of my good customer service skills I raised $500 from door knocking 100 houses.

Q. Let your friends and family know that you are looking for work

You will be surprised how many jobs people get through the people that either they or their family know. Let people know that you are looking for work. Ask your family to inform relevant contacts that you are looking for work. Provide your family and friends with copies of your resume and ask them to pass it on to people they know.

Don’t forget to speak to people at your local football, netball or other community group. Any one of those people may know someone who needs an employee just like you.

Q. Make a great impression in the interview

There are lots of books about interviews. Go to your local library and get one. It is important to recognise that at interviews first impressions count. Make sure you are dressed appropriately and professionally. Tailored pants or skirt and a cotton button shirt with a collar normally do the trick. Natural coloured makeup and neatly styled hair.

Introduce yourself and remember your interviewers names. Generally they will begin by asking you an ice breaker question to make you feel comfortable in talking to them. This could include a question such as, “tell us about yourself, your interests, why you applied for the job or what you studied at school”.

They will then likely ask questions about your skills, experience and knowledge. Some employers, particularly the larger ones use an interviewing system called behavioural based interviewing where they ask you to provide an example from your past where you were in similar circumstances to a particular scenario. They want you to tell them what the situation was, the action that you took and the outcome achieved.

Q. Your rights at work

Follow this link to the NSW Department of Industrial Relations to find out about your rights and responsibilities at work.
Click here for site