Supported by: The Local Employment Co-ordination Unit
Community Employment Group, Palmerston North City Council and Work & Income NZ

Employment is a topic we often either put into the too hard basket, leave to central government, or leave it to the "state of the economy".

The world of work has changed dramatically over the last 10 - 15 years, with few if any jobs offering a lifelong career, most jobs are for fixed terms, many are short term, and there has been a shift from full-time jobs to part-time, casual or on-call jobs.

What can communities do to create jobs, and more importantly, secure, well-paying jobs?

This issue has been given a lot of thought and resulted in a lot of action both in communities around New Zealand and overseas.

A series of background papers on the "State of the Nation" with regard to employment in Palmerston North and the surrounding districts and the possibilities and potential from a variety of perspectives will be circulated prior to the Summit as people register.

We are bringing to Palmerston North for the Summit, five people who have a wealth of experience and ideas, especially at the practical level, to talk about what they have done in their different fields and communities. You will be able to hear them and talk with them.

We will then move on to the possibilities for our community, starting with a panel of people who are active locally.

We will then break into small groups of people with similar interests to talk about what each sees as the possibilities for the area and what each might be prepared to do help make these things happen.

There will be displays from a number of agencies and projects to share ideas and information.

The Summit is not an end in itself, but a focus point, a profile raiser that will kick the ball off.

We hope that the people with similar interests will consider continuing to meet to further develop their ideas and develop strategies for action.

Ongoing contact with these groups will be maintained by the Local Employment Co-ordinator who will also be keeping the Local Employment Committee informed of developments, so that new initiatives can be supported.

The proceedings of the Summit will be written up and those attending will be sent a copy along with details of the ongoing working groups and initiatives.

For further information contact:

Name: ..........................................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................................................

Telephone: ............................................. Fax: .............................................

E-mail: ...............................................................................................................

Registration Fee:                 Corporate rate         $100

                                                Salary under $35,000     $25

My particular interest with respect to employment is:

.........................................................................................................................................

I wish to submit a paper to be included in the pre-summit mailout: yes / no

(Deadline - 19 February - to Ian Ritchie, Private Bag 11 042, Palmerston North)

I wish to offer a display      yes / no     Send details.

Privacy Act: Please cross if you do not consent to your name and address being given to other Summit participants         [ ]

I am unable to attend the Summit but would like to receive the Summit papers [ ]

Confirmation of Registration and Cancellation:
  Upon receipt of the completed form and fees you will be sent a receipt and a set of the pre-Summit papers.
  Cancellations must be in writing; up to two weeks beforehand there will be a $10 processing fee, no refunds after this.

Please return this form to: Employment Summit, c/- Jill Cheer, Palmerston North City Council, Private Bag 11 034, Palmerston North        

                                        by 23 March