Brewer to lead gap year study

Kiwi school leavers could soon be signing up for a gap year with a twist.

Lazy days on far-flung beaches could be traded for time in the military or planting trees if a voluntary national service (VNS) scheme is developed.

Taranaki Crown solicitor Tim Brewer has been appointed to lead a study into the viability of such a scheme for young Kiwis.

Mr Brewer, a recently retired army brigadier, said the point of a VNS scheme would be to attract more young New Zealanders into schemes which would enable them to serve their country while gaining benefits for themselves.

"There are models of this already operating around the world," he said. "My team will be looking at what sort of things might work in New Zealand and what sort of incentive would have to be offered."

The Australian Defence Force offers a gap year programme where students earn A$40,000 (NZ$47,300) a year, with no requirement for further involvement.

However, Mr Brewer said New Zealand's VNS scheme may not be purely military based and the incentives may not be cash.

"Military service would be an option but so too would be service in a civilian capacity," he said. "We might look at providing leadership and lifeskills programmes social programmes of all sorts. It might involve keeping hospital grounds in order or planting trees."

Mr Brewer said he had always been keen on offering young people educational incentives and saw that as a feature of any VNS scheme.

"If a university student would spend a summer holiday giving voluntary service to the country, either civilian or military, that would give them a subsidy towards the next year's course fees or a reduction of their student loan," he said.

"It could equally apply at the apprenticeship level or polytech or any form of post-secondary education. I don't want to pre-judge it but whatever recommendation my team makes will have to be based on financial reality. "

Mr Brewer said there was a lot of work to be done but it was a project he was excited to be involved in. "We need to look at the viability of such a scheme, what sort of numbers might be able to participate, what it would cost and how long it should last for," he said.

"It's a subject I've been giving a lot of thought to over a number of years in my previous role as director-general of reserve forces."

The VNS study is one of three companion studies to run alongside the Government's Defence Review 2009. Studies into the defence industry sector and options for economic improvement and the role of the defence force in youth programmes will also be carried out.

- © Fairfax NZ News