More than 100 people from all three levels of government, industry partners and the community came together for the forum, which addressed the alarming statistics and aimed to create an action plan to tackle the issue.

The Hunter Valley’s youth unemployment rate sits at 21.4 per cent – the worst in NSW and the fourth-highest in the nation.

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent said youth unemployment is a critical issue facing our region.

“The facts are confronting. A strong body of evidence reveals the negative impact of youth unemployment – particularly for those young people out of work for extended periods of time,” he said.

“From poor physical and mental health outcomes, to a higher likelihood of entering the justice system, we know youth unemployment can have an ongoing effect on employability and lifelong earning potential.

“While we can trace our current predicament back to a number of factors including socio-economic disadvantage, low educational attainment and the legacy left behind by reliance upon mono-industry, we do not have to allow this legacy to be the author of our future.”

Cr Pynsent said the symposium’s aim was to lay the foundation for a robust strategy and action plan to tackle youth unemployment and create long-term solutions.

“We have seen reports indicating technological advancements have the potential to render many traditional jobs redundant.  This is likely to put greater pressure on employment in our region,” he said.

“But rather than be alarmed we can view it as an opportunity to be strategic in where and how we allocate our resources to take advantage of the existing capacity in our region.”

Cr Pynsent highlighted the opportunities for employment offered by Australia’s growing international tourism market and demand from the services sector.

“That is why we are all here today—to lay the foundation for a robust strategy and action plan to tackle youth unemployment, to work together to create long-term solutions,” Cr Pynsent said.

Parliamentary secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald said it was important to be honest with young jobseekers.

“While the traditional sectors are not employing the numbers they used to, the Hunter is well placed to be part of the growth in the services sector,” he said.

“Aged care, health, education, tourism, retail and financial services are expanding. New jobseekers should be considering education and careers in these areas.

“School leavers will also have to be flexible. Their future will inevitably include training and employment away from home.

“If the jobs aren’t available locally, opportunities should be pursued where they are to be found.

“Many locals will return at a later stage of their life when their family or work circumstances change. This can be positive for Cessnock.

“Returning people can bring fresh, invigorated thinking to their employers or businesses.”

Five key themes emerged from the symposium – mobility and transport, youth transitions and pathways, supporting business to hire more young people, skills, training and education, and generational disadvantage.

As work turned toward finding solutions, the need for coordinated inter-agency collaboration and communication was highlighted.

The symposium concluded with potential solutions including using technology to create carpooling networks and establishing community-based technology, training and resource hubs.

A strategic plan based upon detailed analysis of all issues and solutions discussed at the symposium is currently being prepared and will be available shortly.