Ethic comes with work

A youth development strategy has been put together by the Masterton District Council, with funding assistance from the Ministry of Social Development. It's due to be put forward to all Wairarapa councils for inclusion in long-term plans.

At the same time, YMCA's Te Whetu programme helping young people into employment - which had an 80 per cent success rate - has lost its government funding.

In a discussion about this at the district council last week, councillor Doug Bracewell put forward that one issue employers faced was young people lacked work ethic. This was an issue they needed to address, he said.

I can't claim to have enough knowledge of young job seekers to know whether work ethic is an issue. We do, from time to time, have young aspiring and trainee journalists in the newsroom as interns, and their commitment and energy is certainly impressive.

But even if Mr Bracewell is right, I'm not sure how much a council strategy can do about it.

You could argue work ethic is something you learn from growing up around people who work hard and value and encourage hard work in others, or something you're born with.

But I think it's something you learn from working.

I've been trying to start an exercise programme lately, but I've been quite lazy about it, particularly on cold Wairarapa mornings. But I know once I get started, the motivation will take care of itself, because I'll enjoy the feeling of achievement and the results. And I think it's the same with work. The only way to develop a work ethic is to work, and get the satisfaction of what you've achieved, and what you've earned.

Which is why it seems a shame to lose funding for a youth programme which gave young people a chance to do just that.