That’s the message that Kurri Kurri Youth Centre co-ordinator Trudy Adams has for young people struggling to find work.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures recently that showed youth unemployment in the Lower Hunter, outside Newcastle, had sky-rocketed from 5.8 per cent to 16.8 per cent between January, 2013, and July, 2014.

While the figures were disappointing, Ms Adams said the data did not 

surprise her.

“For people in Kurri Kurri, a lot of the work opportunities are out of town and there isn’t much public transport for people to get to work, so they have to get their licence,” she said.

“Some of them are living in dysfunctional homes and don’t get much support from their parents, so they need to learn to support themselves so they can get themselves into a better situation.”

A lack of work experience and knowledge of how to write a resume or cover letter are some of the biggest barriers that confront young people looking for work, Ms Adams said.

She said the stigma associated with going to an agency for help needed to be removed.

The centre recently held a workshop for young people to learn how to write  resumes and cover letters, but only nine people attended.

“We’ve helped people to write a few resumes and cover letters recently,” Ms Adams said.

“Part of the reason we held the workshop was to make people aware that there are services out there to help them.”

She said finding work was an important way for a young person to develop a sense of identity, confidence and 

contribution, but many families in Kurri Kurri also needed an extra household income.

“Kurri Kurri is a low socio-economic area and I know of some young people who go to work and hand their pay cheque over to their family,” she said.

“There are some families with their back against the wall, doing it tough.”