Will's Word: Tailored employment support step in the right direction

I've got to admit, the Government is singing my language at the moment. Let me put that into context for you.

Did you see Monday's announcement? Up to 70,000 job seekers will receive individual assessments and personalised job plans to help them find employment.

That sounds like a no-brainer to me.

Assessments, for a bit more context, will identify potential barriers such as education, transport, addiction, health, and childcare, as well as skills like literacy, technology, comfort, and legal history.

Now, each job seeker will work with a case manager to create a tailored plan with specific actions and timelines.

This is according to the Social Development Minister, Louise Upston. And you know what? That sounds like a great idea. Frankly, I thought we would have been doing this long ago.

Why has it taken so long for this to be implemented? I'm not just blaming this government, previous governments in the past (too).

It sounds like a positive step in the right direction, the kind of action we need to see.

And you know, more often than not, I find myself praising this government for its actions at the moment. A few weeks ago, I praised its action regarding the gang patch ban. Now, I'm praising them again for this move.

Watch Will's Word below.

Now, the programme doesn't actually kick into early 2025, but it will initially include 10,000 people already receiving phone-based case management.

The new system includes a traffic light system where sanctions could apply for non-compliance, but only for those not actively pursuing work. Sanctions will not be enforced on job seekers who cannot find work.

Ultimately, you'll need to comply with job search steps.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did emphasise the importance of job seekers engaging with their case manager, having a resume, and attending interviews. Again, this is no-brainer stuff.

Frankly, if you want to be part of society, you should be doing and adhering to the Job Seeker Benefit rules. Because ultimately, as the title implies, you should be seeking a job.

And if you're not, frankly, you should not be receiving that benefit. And so taking a harder approach to it, like this government is, is absolutely the thing to do.

Frankly, I do not want to live in a society where we become dependent on benefits. If you are able-bodied and you can do it, then, of course, you should be out there seeking employment and giving back to the community in which you live. Frankly, that's just my view.

That's Will's Word.