'Give me a chance!'

By Erin Bishop May 21 2011

Hailee Toa is 17 and she's unemployed, but she says she's not lazy.

She wants to work but simply can't find an employer willing to give her a go.
She took exception to a story in the Guardian this week saying Mid Canterbury's youth were too lazy to get out and find a job; she says the reality is that there are no jobs available within youth abilities.
Of the 40 situations vacant advertisements in the Guardian last Saturday, only around six jobs did not require qualifications or previous experience.
Miss Toa said jobs were simply out of reach for people like her.
HaileeCR

She's applied for jobs but the call-backs never come.
"I'm willing to do a job and I don't slack off, but no one's willing to give me a go," she said.
She finished school at the end of last year, having completed year 12.
She left a good part-time job and enrolled in a certificate in human services with an eye to a future in social work, through CPIT in Christchurch. But the earthquake had put an end to that so now she was back living in Mt Somers with her grandparents, who were supporting her.
She's too young to receive an unemployment benefit – but she doesn't want one anyway.
She wants to work for her money.
She's proactive. She's trawled through the internet, made endless phone calls and pounded the pavement.
Jobs in the dairy industry were a possibility, but she didn't have a driver's licence. She wants to drive, but paying to go through the licensing process, buying a car and paying for petrol is difficult when you don't have an income.
Seasonal work was another option, but once the season finished you were back to square one, Miss Toa said.
She'd rather find a full-time job.
"I'd be happy with anything.
"I'm ready to work and I've tried and tried and tried but no one has rung me back," Miss Toa said.

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