Despite a range of qualifications, the 23-year-old has found himself unemployed for close to two years, and is one of many young Tasmanians unable to find work. 

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in six Northern Tasmanians aged 15-24 are unemployed.

”I just need a job...around here because it’s such a small place, it’s more who you know rather than the jobs that are around,” Mr Murfet said. 

Mr Murfet has acquired a Certificate II and III in Hospitality, he also has a Certificate I in Retail, Construction and is a fully qualified barista.  

He has an 18-month-old daughter living in Brisbane, but is prepared to travel anywhere to make ends meet. 

Mr Murfet has retail and hospitality experience, and currently finds himself in a precarious position in being unable to support his daughter.  

His situation reflects the dire circumstance that is Tasmania’s youth unemployment rate, which sits at 15.3 per cent, and is more than 3 per cent higher than the national figure. 

TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes said a state government funded workforce participation plan would help tackle the multi-layered issue. 

“An entire generation of our young people is looking for work that does not exist or is out of reach. It’s a fundamental issue with enormous potential ramifications for our state now and into the future,” she said.

She said a community approach is required from business, local government, community leaders, education, young people and employment experts. 

Ms Goodes said a lack of affordable public transport services and job seeker services is also a key issue. 

Mission Australia state director Noel Mundy said he was “very concerned” about unemployment in the North.

“The longer they are unemployed the harder it is to find sustainable work,” Mr Mundy said.

He said that job seeker resources were not coordinated effectively, and the state government needed to work with education providers to improve this. 

“I think there needs to be a continued focus on apprenticeships, job creation in manufacturing, ensuring there are adequate subsidies available,” Mr Mundy said.  

Mr Mundy encouraged job seekers to target employers through cold calling.

He said many young people were leaving year 10 with poor literacy skills, and Mission Australia had noticed this through candidates in their literacy and numeracy program.