3. Immigration—Youth UnemploymentRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of ImmigrationImmigration—Youth Unemployment3. RON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all his statements; if so how?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development) on behalf of the Minister of Immigration: Yes; and on this occasion by asking another Minister to speak on my behalf. Ron Mark: Does he stand by his statement in March that he is working closely with Ministers Anne Tolley and Steven Joyce to ensure that Kiwis are at the front of the queue and that immigration policy is at the end of the pipeline."?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Yes. One of the things the Government is currently working on is a programme called the Sector Workforce Engagement Programme which is working with particular industries such as the horticultural industry the agricultural industry the construction industry the truck driving industry and others to ensure that training opportunities are provided to New Zealand young people ahead of skilled migrants being sought for particular roles. Ron Mark: If his Government is ensuring that Kiwis are at the front of the job queue then why has his Government consistently had 75000 young people under 25 who are unemployed unengaged and have no skills and how is that working for all New Zealand?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: That is probably a question more appropriately directed to the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment but seeing as you have asked it I am pleased to report to the member that the number of 15- to 19-year-olds who are not in education employment or training ("neets") is at nearly the lowest level since the household labour force survey started right back in 2004 and in terms of the total 15- to 24-year-olds it is back now to levels last seen before the global financial crisis. There is more we can do but I can report for the member that we currently have 43000 people in apprenticeships and we are bringing that through to 50000 people as soon as we can. Ron Mark: Is he aware that the Salvation Army released a report today that supports New Zealand First's stance on turning the tap down on immigration particularly low-skilled workers or is he of the view that this religious organisation is also xenophobic and racist?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I have to say I was disappointed in the Salvation Army report today. It was overly pessimistic and contained significant inaccuracies and misconceptions. But the interesting thing is that this Government does have a lower number of essential skills work visas than previously. In the last year 33000 were granted; a decade ago it was 44000 or 53000. So definitely the young people at the front of the queue are New Zealanders unlike when the member's party was involved in the previous Government.Ron Mark: Is he satisfied with his Government's youth unemployment record which has consistently been around 75000 or is he content with using his Government's appalling record on "neets" as a pathetic excuse just to bring in more low-skilled migrants instead of educating and training our own young Kiwis?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The member is directing the question to the wrong portfolio but nevertheless—Ron Mark: Oh come on! He's the Minister. He's bringing them in.Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I know you do not like it Mr Mark but we are at the lowest percentage of young people 15 to 19 who are not in employment education or training that we have had—the lowest percentage. That does not mean we cannot do more but it is the lowest level that we have had since the records began."