As per the media reports, the government's proposed $152 million employment scheme is being supported by Enterprise advocacy group Business NZ.

The scheme, which will be launched in the next 18 months, comes with the objective of creating 17, 000 jobs for unemployed youth in the 18 to 24-year-old bracket.

There were 4,000 16 to 24-year-olds on the dole last June, while the figure now stands at 17,000.

According to Business NZ CEO Phil O'Reilly, the current bulge in unemployment numbers would be gradually reduced by the government's series of employment and training initiatives.

He added: "It is good to see an inclusive programme involving business, communities, polytechs and the defense force all focused on the core problem of low skills in young people."

The 20 million Jobs Ops programme, which would witness businesses receive $5,000 to subsidize workers' pay packets for six months, has been welcomed by the organizations in particular.

"Four thousand young people will be eligible for the programme under which they will earn the minimum wage for a 30 hour week. At $375 a week it is about $200 more than the average unemployment benefit," concluded O'Reilly.