Joy Ice Cream was one of 65 local employers who enthusiastically took part in Auckland Council’s JobFest 16, the country’s largest youth employment event held in May.
But the company did much more than just participate. It employed 14 previously unemployed young people who attended the event.
Those 14 youngsters are now working in the company’s two Auckland stores - in the Viaduct and in 277 in Newmarket - getting a practical qualification and working towards owning their own store.
Joy Ice Cream’s single purpose is to “entrepreneurize the remarkable people among today’s unemployed and under-employed”.
The company says it is creating a world class value added brand from the very best of New Zealand primary ingredients and that it operates a social business model which stands for more than just profit.
JobFest brings young job-seekers and businesses together and the latest, in May, was attended by more than 2000 young people.
Mayor Len Brown visited the new Newmarket store to express his thanks to the company for its commitment to youth employment and to meet the newly employed, and very happy, young people.
“Joy Ice Cream is obviously an excellent employer dedicated to, as it says, producing remarkable ice cream, served by remarkable people on their own remarkable journey,” he says.
“It is very encouraging to see a business employing Auckland’s youth talent and driving innovation.”
The next JobFest, the sixth such event, is on September 21www.jobfest.co.nz
Auckland Council News
