Under Clause 10, PSEM Regulation, youth, being defined as persons under the age of 25, has been designated as a disadvantage group.

The inclusion of youth as a disadvantaged group is one of a number of strategies designed to increase their representation in the NSW Public Sector.  It will also support the NSW Government’s recent commitment to supporting youth in gaining employment, more specifically, 4,000 new apprenticeships and 2,000 new cadetships over the next four years. It will directly facilitate the appointment of cadets to the NSW Government Cadetship Program.

In addition to this designation, the authority to recommend the appointment of persons belonging to the disadvantage group – youth has been delegated to Department heads to streamline the process of appointment. The instrument of delegation is attached.

The PSEM Regulation is scheduled for re-making in September 2009. The changes detailed above will be incorporated into the re-made Regulation.

This Circular applies to all Public Service Departments. State Owned Corporations and other Government Service (Non-Public Service Divisions and Special Employment Divisions), the Teaching Service, NSW Police and the NSW Health Service are encouraged to adopt similar arrangements.

John Lee
Director General