The Salvation Army says the latest unemployment statistics should be seen as a call to action for the country about the need to help young people find work.

Unemployment has risen to its highest level in nearly 11 years, with Stats NZ confirming it had increased to 5.6 percent in the three months ended June.

There were 171,000 unemployed people, up 7000 compared to the previous quarter and 13,000 higher than a year ago.

The number of people aged between 15 and 24 not in education, employment or training rose to 13.8 percent from 12.9 percent.

Principal policy analyst Paul Barber said the Salvation Army was seeing large numbers of under-25s turning to them for support.

“There is a real need for opportunities for young people to find training education and employment that can help them create a path in life,” he told RNZ’s Checkpoint.

Youth under 25, Maori, Pasifika and people with disabilities were disproportionately affected, he said, and regions like Northland had been particularly impacted as well.

There were too few opportunities being created for youth, Barber said.

“We need a greater focus on those work-related education programmes for those that aren’t going to down an academic pathway.”

“We really want to be beside young people in schools so we can retain their participation in schools.”

The Salvation Army had been running a successful work readiness programme, Barber said, which was helping youth learn to network and find volunteer opportunities.

There was greater need for employers to make themselves accessible to youths and provide support networks they needed, however.

Rising costs of rent, power, fuel and food were putting real pressure on young Kiwis.

“We really want to see some pathways open for people that can bring some hope into their lives.

“They’re not people who can wait another six months for economic recovery, they need help now,” Barber said.

“We need to ensure that people have sufficient income to live with dignity and have some opportunities to find meaningful work and training that can offer them a future.”