Hon Paula Bennett
Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister of Youth Affairs

Hon Heather Roy
Associate Minister of Defence
2 August 2009 Media Release

Limited Service Volunteer Scheme expanded

More young people will get the unique opportunity to test their physical and mental boundaries under an expansion to the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) scheme.

The Minister for Social Development and Employment, Paula Bennett, and Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy announced today the Government is boosting the number of places on the scheme, which helps young people at risk of long term unemployment gain the skills and confidence necessary to get a job. The LSV scheme targets 18 – 25 year olds who are on an Unemployment Benefit. Currently, 720 places are available in five, six-week residential camps held at Burnham each year.

The Government will boost funding by up to $19 million so that an extra 1250 LSV places will become available in each of the 2010 and 2011 calendar years. It will also establish two new programmes, one in Auckland and the other in the Lower North Island, by January next year.

The programme is designed to improve the self-discipline of participants by building their motivation, initiative and self-confidence.

“The Limited Service Volunteer scheme uses the Defence Force ethos and values to develop effective team members. While LSVs are not trained as soldiers, they come away with a much better understanding of what is required of them in society and there have been many success stories since the scheme began in the 1980s,” Mrs Roy says.

Ms Bennett says the scheme offers a range of training including fitness, communication, budgeting and financial skills.

“We want to help maximise the potential of our young people, particularly when the recession is impacting on their opportunities.”

Questions and answers on Limited Service Volunteer Scheme

Who runs the Limited Service Volunteer Scheme?
The New Zealand Army runs the scheme which is jointly funded by the Ministry of Social Development and the NZ Defence Force. It is staffed mainly by Army personnel - 50 per cent - with the rest made up equally of Navy and Air Force staff.

How many camps are there currently?
There is one camp at Burnham Army Camp near Christchurch.

What happens once the person has finished the course?
Their Work and Income case manager works with them to help them either move into further training, get a sustainable job, or apply to get into the armed services.

Does completing and passing the course count towards applying for a position in the military?
Yes, it certainly helps. It can be a really good starting point to apply for a career in the military or other types of jobs.

Who is eligible?
Any person aged 18 to 25 who is on an Unemployment Benefit.

How is that person paid?
The person continues receiving the Unemployment Benefit while they are in training.

How effective is LSV?
Evaluations of the Limited Service Volunteer programmes have shown they increase the confidence, self-discipline and motivation of participants in the short term.

Work and Income are also working to improve the links between the LSV programmes and local employers to make sure that the programmes are responsive to local labour market demands.

What do young people do on the course?
LSV courses are six-week residential courses. The courses are currently offered at Burnham Military Camp near Christchurch. The training includes:
• outdoor and physical fitness training
• group dynamics/leadership tasks
• communication skills
• general health instruction
• safety and hygiene instruction
• basic financial and budgetary skills
• instruction in basic job search
• work on personal presentation.

How do these courses help unemployed young people?
LSV builds the motivation, self-discipline, self-confidence and initiative of unemployed young people. With these skills young people are more likely to be able to find work.

ENDS

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