Fighting 'placement poverty' in New Zealand's critical sectors

Faced with the stark decision of nourishing her dreams or her stomach, Bex made the gut-wrenching choice to step away from her social work program. Her story, indicative of the 'placement poverty' epidemic gripping New Zealand's essential sectors, is the catalyst for our latest conversation. As students like future nurses and social workers clock in millions of unpaid training hours, the financial distress mounts, leaving many teetering on the brink of giving up their aspirations for mere subsistence. With a spotlight on this harrowing reality, we traverse the rocky landscape of financial hardship, where survival often clashes with the pursuit of education. The path to making an impactful difference in the lives of others shouldn’t come at the cost of one’s livelihood. From the shadowy corners of salary cuts to the hefty price tag on mandatory placements that include everything from immunizations to travel expenses, we lay bare the systemic hurdles that push many to pivot away from their calling. These stories serve as a rallying cry for governmental support to acknowledge and invest in these critical public service roles, and this episode is a testament to the power of unity and action in the face of societal challenges. https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/grow-the-workforce-paid-training-in-healthcare-education-and-social-work-professions?just_launched=true