In 2014 of first Youth Forum saw about 50 young people gather to discuss ways to bridge the gap between education and work in North Otago.

The two days of forums in Oamaru were part of an ongoing project for the Waitaki district. The project started with a ''Bridging the Gaps'' forum held in April to look at youth education and work opportunities in North Otago.

This initial gathering was facilitated by Pam O'Connell, from Cognition Education and Pathway Plus in Dunedin, with Stuart Middleton, from the Manukau Institute of Technology. It identified gaps for young people going from school into work, to help them stay in North Otago.

More recent forums have gathered the views of youth, inform organisations about the progress made and identify action.

Forums, supported by the Waitaki District Council Youth Council, have challenged young people to share their ideas about how they would like to live, work and play in the Waitaki district.

Youth Council gatherings aim to give students and employed young people aged between 16 and 24 an opportunity to have their say.