WELLINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Defence Minister Ron Mark and Associate Minister for Social Development Peeni Henare opened the new Youth Development Facility at Whenuapai Air Base on Friday.

The new facility will host 640 young people each year, who will take part in the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) program.

LSV is a residential six-week program run jointly by NZDF and MSD aimed at helping turn the lives of at risk young people around and move them into employment.

"The new facility opened today is a huge step forward for LSV. Not only is it modern and fit for purpose, it will help meet the increased demand for the program which the government has doubled in size to 1,600 students by the year 2020. This increase in numbers was a key initiative in the Coalition agreement," said Mark.

Associate Minister for Social Development Peeni Henare said the LSV program is one of the ministry's key work readiness and development programms for young people.

"The new facility and the one soon to be opened in Wellington will enable more young people to access a proven program that leads to meaningful and sustainable employment," said Henare.

The new facility will also help train students at the Ministry of Education's Service Academies as well as members of the various Cadet Units in Auckland.