PM Skerrit promises business funding for unemployed persons

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

Over forty unemployed people from all around the island have been told that once they have successfully completed an eight week program in Culinary Arts and Creative Manicure and Pedicure, the Small Business Support Unit will fund their business venture.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made the disclosure during an Orientation ceremony for those persons at the Public Training Center on Monday.

He said if the issues of unemployment are going to be addressed, young people need to be given the ability to support themselves.

“Because we believe that if we are to address the issues of unemployment if we are to give young people the ability to make a way of life for themselves we have to place a level of trust and confidence in them. You may have gone to the financial institutions yourselves and one of the things they are going to ask you for is sometimes this dreaded word collateral”, he said.

“And I am saying to you this morning that as long as you complete this training session, if you drop out, then that’s a matter for you but I give you the assurances here this morning, as the minister for finance for this country that once you complete this training the small business unit will finance the setting up of your small business. I shall make the monies available to the Small Business Unit to assist you in establishing your small businesses”, Skerrit concluded.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that next week he will seek to sign a $5 million agreement for small and medium size businesses.

“Next week I intend to sign hopefully …an agreement with the National Foundation of Dominica too grant to them about $5 million to lend to small and medium size businesses, at attractive interest rates”, he stated.

This is the second code of apprentices workshop which has been facilitated by Dominica Employment and Small Business Support Agency under the theme “Be Skilled, Be employed’.

Last year, the first program was a stone cutting program with 7 persons.

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68 Comments

  1. May 29, 2013

    This the type of stuff Domincans do in the states….nails and hair. They are great at it though

  2. American Defiants
    May 29, 2013

    Surprisingly Dominicans use such throng English vocabulary. I am impressed.

    • American Defiants
      May 29, 2013

      *strong

      Kind Regards.

  3. Frabo
    May 29, 2013

    Men love women to play in their head. You should include in the program a grey hair removing course, and see how the economy would take off. 5 cents per strand. All you don’t have any good ideas, except lining all you pockets with bribe and tax payers money; which in it-self is a BAD IDEA.

  4. Frabo
    May 29, 2013

    DNO is giving people a very good idea as to how the next Election is gonna go. Not looking good for the incumbent. Some in office are already planning which country to migrate to.

  5. Excuse my French
    May 28, 2013

    Now…….the initiative is always a positive, but I mean common sunn, just look at the amount of restaurants and shops u can buy food at already, is this the only competitive market in Dominica, and manicure and pedicure…….. :cry: :cry: i must cry because that is just ridiculous, these guys cannot even stimulate their own economy. Well i don’t blame them cause they were the ones that killed it. The most disturbing thing is how can u possibly be doing these things and the older folks the real business people of Roseau haven’t got a word to say….We Finish……The Internet is the key

  6. Listening!!!
    May 28, 2013

    Skeritt creatively incapable and lack visionary if:

    The program to reduce unemployment is to train people in skilled area and give them money to open a business.

    It means our Prime Minister has not idea what it take to run a business more less a country.
    1. I not against training for people to establish skilled but you are then putting them in market to run a business with no business skill or mentorship. Simple because you don’t understand what it takes to run a business.

    2. What you should do in the short term is provide tax breaks for companies who are already in that field to employ the folks but not used taxes payer money to fund business who are going to fail because of the lack business skills and the absence of a dying conviction to own a successful business.

    After working for a few years, two things are going to happen the majority will stay working for companies and a few who have the business conviction will move to owning a business with there experience and business mentorship .

    You have to understand not everybody can or want to run a business because it take a certain skill set for owning and running a successful business.

    I can already see this money going to wasted and then the GOVT blaming the people because this was never thought out properly to create sustainable employment.

    Additionally for the long term the GOVT should implement entrepreneurship programs in high schools so the channels needed to formulate a business develops into a common place for most graduates…..Then that would spiral employment with some financial assistance.

    This guy do thing on impulse and plunge us into greater poverty.

  7. Honesty
    May 28, 2013

    :?: I’ve got a business idea Mr.Skerrit,even if i’m not a youth,but i’m still a Young man and deserve to be assisted.I’ll need a minimum of $50.000.OO to begin;Will u assist ?However i won’t be fooled by this campaigne political game,so don’t be fooled youths!Take all that’s given to u,it’s yours and don’t vote them! :?:

  8. Tweety
    May 28, 2013

    What about the people who already possess various skills and are educated that can’t find a job?

  9. 6th sense
    May 28, 2013

    Why only culinary arts and beauty care? are those booming industries in Dominica?

  10. Anonymous
    May 28, 2013

    Creative manicure and pedicure? Seriously? You can do better than that.

  11. Anonymous
    May 28, 2013

    Good initiative. A way to get the unemployed into jobs. With these skills, they can do something for themselves. I would imagine these people did not have skills that’s why they did the course in the first place. So many crap comments on here someone reading this can’t help it but think of dumb-in-cans. It does not get college graduates jobs, but it targets a different group. There are so many other ways people could be helping themselves instead of going to work servant jobs or staying without a job. How about balloon modelling, entertaining (keeping kids busy during a party), clowns, honey roasting nuts at open air shows, donut stalls and the list goes on……….

  12. 10101100111000
    May 28, 2013

    Just saw some rather interesting photos of this activity on the Facebook page of the Dominica Employment and Small Business Support Agency.

    Have not been in Dominica for sometime.

    Hope there are other training programs

  13. Gweneth J Moorhouse
    May 28, 2013

    Excellent example, wonderful idea in instilling a a sense of pride and purpose for achievement in young people by providing the way and the means of induction into self employment.
    Congratulations MR Prime Minister. I hope many young persons seize the opportunity and run into creating their own employment and employment of other persons.The nation stands to gain. That,is the intent

  14. Charu
    May 27, 2013

    All good for any assistance for small business and our youth. I am happy unemployment is on the pm agenda and he is going to do some thing about it,

  15. Charu
    May 27, 2013

    All good mr pm a start for unemployment, and youth self employment. I have been talking about small business and our youth who have ideas for years and I hope that it is the beginning to better assistance to small business and there challenges

  16. opinion
    May 27, 2013

    40 people?? we don’t need 40 new nail salons and/or restaurants in d/ca…-_-

  17. Lougaoo Mem
    May 27, 2013

    That’s what you allow and get when you vote a self-serving individual who will say and do anything to ensure that he and his regime remain in power.

    No doubt, his next major announcement is the date for election. My people you’ve heard and seen enough of an unscrupulous regime, full of lies and deception. You’ve seen the disregard and disrespect for your love, loyalty, and also the preferences given to non-nationals over our native professionals for a magistrate position. You’ve heard of our nation’s real estate being sold to a foreign power of the East, to include rights and privileges given to the Chinese over our native brothers and sisters. Don’t forget the nation’s passports sold to criminals, with the proceedings to fund election campaign and enrich those salesmen/lawyers. Yet still, you say it’s OK. So I say to you, what you go for, that’s what you get. Good Luck!

    • Anonymous
      May 27, 2013

      @ lougaoo mem them propaganda will not work never will uwpwee be in power again so keep singing.

  18. Malatete
    May 27, 2013

    What a gift from Meridom to Roosevelt Skerrit! It could not have been better timed and, of course, raises the suspicion whether this was planned deliberately. The law on buggery is not aimed specifically at homosexuals but covers everybody, homo-& heterosexuals, male & female alike.The homosexual lobby have scored an own goal and given Skerrit plenty of political mileage, free of charge, to be converted into votes. Wow!

  19. jahyout
    May 27, 2013

    The fact remains that if a young man or woman was to go to the financial center to get some money to start doing FARMING Or FISHING the Government will not help them out.. Any other small business except those 2……I know because I have been for myself…

    • Anonymous
      May 27, 2013

      What the hell u talking about jahyout the farming program already started u have to go through the program have the land to start farming now on the fishing part he should not get into that theres cheaper gas at the fishries mabe invest in some nets but that should be it what u want him to buy the boats so when they find u all outside bados with no line no hook no bait for them to say is his seen all u on boy go bank to get your loan if is boat u want eh.

    • Malgraysa
      May 28, 2013

      Very simple Jahyout. That is because neither farmers nor fishermen pay tax on their earnings.

  20. Jus Saying
    May 27, 2013

    PM am all in support of employment for the youth…but promissing to sponsor all their businesses is crazy and idiotic! the market is not that big and the few who are there already are struggling, wat we need is for persons to employ the soon to graduated participants to work with them, horn their skills and become experts in their particular field. Encourage partnerships with existing businesses or cooperatives, give hairdressers, or persons doing manicures/pedicures together, create clusters or else soon the market will flood and no one will be making money and we will be worst off

  21. Peeping Tom
    May 27, 2013

    Another applaudable initiative by a hardworking government. At the end of this training programme, at last 40 persons will be supported even further to create employment for themselves and others. This program is a win – win programme. We cannot go wrong here.

    Bravo!

    • Nac Vibes
      May 28, 2013

      Boy you have guts, I’ll give you that.

      It is right for the government to seek ways to reduce unemployment, but this scheme? This only serve to confirm that your government (if you can call it that) is bankrupt of ideas or just playing politics in anticipation of the next election.

  22. street side
    May 27, 2013

    Dominica the ignorant, evil, backward and foolish minded Island…

    Keep them down skero, they love you..

    Fools Paradise-Dominica.

    • %
      May 27, 2013

      @ Street side Election around the corner. ‘Just come I will fund your business’.
      That’s why I refer to this style of leadership as lazy, arrogant and incompetent.
      The people of Chance were promised houses too, but I heard a lady saying that people are bouncing her around like bumping ball, and is
      DRY COKES she is eating.
      Hope you fully fund my business too.!

    • Jah guidell
      May 27, 2013

      So does this money come from the PM’s pocket or from the treasury?
      All these small businesses are now organized to give loans. Why isn’t it given to the NDFD or similar organizations that normally take care of this business.
      Be careful of handouts my people. You may have to work for the cash cow for the rest of your life. Dominicans be aware and learn to think for yourselves. As a good friend puts it ” its not everything that’s good to chew that’s good to swallow”. Be watchful my people

  23. whose money?
    May 27, 2013

    Sugar coats. Appearing to be interested in youth development.

    Everything has been well put in place for the sale of our passports. Markets overseas to sell passports. A few making millions. Villas. land deals. You never remember the unemployed youth while personal wealth was being amassed by all sorts of dubious means.

    The alledged crooks acquiring our passports for $$$$$$$$$$$, secrecy in toto, come first. They mean more to some in authority. Skerritt (Papa God) is going to pave our roads with gold. Listen to his statements from now on.

    Dominicans in business for decades are closing shop. Money scarce. People not buying as much. Business extra slow. Chinese businesses take over Roseau. Agriculture back-peddling. Tourism walking like tortoise. Spontaneous sweet-coated words to fool again and again. Control the people’s minds and they can no longer think for themselves.

    • /////////////////
      May 27, 2013

      So Everything is all politics. You all have issues. For the PM to say that he will assist the young people – leaders of tomorrow – you all have a problem with that. Persons like you all just criticising need to do an introspect of yourself and find out why can’t I be positive. Is it the way I was abused or treated that is causing me to hate one man so much that I am blinded and even if he does something good, I cannot congratulate. I do have a lot of baggage and it is weighing my mind down. Time to drop the baggage of “Jealousy, Envy, and the likes of the fruits of the “Evil One” and Lord help me to love one another even my enemies as you have directed me to do.

      People please drop you baggage. You’ll die of a broken heart. It is only you, Yourself you are hurting. Voyer sa deriere dor ou.

      • feel it
        May 28, 2013

        @ /////// Don’t stifle or choke yourself. The truth that a few enriching themselves quickly, secret deals, too much to mention, while the youth have been left to languish, offends you. Not even the truth you want to set you free?

  24. Whistler
    May 27, 2013

    Only in Dominica this guy could be leading a Nation
    States what type of citizens they are..

    Elections are around the corner so this is sweet talk….he did not come into office last year actually he is at the helm since (2004)

    My God only in Dominica can a inexperienced person be playing games with citizens who don’t ask hard questions…

    Under his watch since that time he has gotten
    Dominica to be the Poorest in the Caribbean

    Places like St.Joe..the Poorest in Dominica..

    Change is not a Option Dominica.
    Change is !MUST!

    • Lougaoo Mem
      May 27, 2013

      Brother Whistler,
      You are on point. And I’ll repeat, only in Dominica this guy could lead a nation.”

      I doubt he knows that his legacy is etched in stone as the leader of most corrupt and deceitful administration in the history of the nation. With the grace of God, sooner or later, everything that has been acquired through the fleecing of the taxpayers money and the VAT, shall return to the nation. So help us God!

    • Grand Bay Girl
      May 27, 2013

      When was the last time u were in Dominica? If u can afford it take a trip please We are not where we want to be but we have come a long way .CONPARWAYSON. lol

      • Kazai
        May 28, 2013

        Indeed you have come a long way Grand Bay Girl, from the least corrupt to the most corrupt, from poor to poorest in the region. And don’t forget that your leaders have become the richest overnight through fleecing of your tax money, lies and corruption.

    • Anonymous
      May 27, 2013

      whistle while work eh pal is a good thing is not u that giving da money the ones that are seeing where there money thats y we still getting more thats y we still traveling on our passport thank god we know the truth america doing the background check on all who apply so while u all there talking we not blackliisted.

  25. Bwa kWAIEB
    May 27, 2013

    It’s nice that he can come back from his honeymoon and address the people of Dominica. How about he start creating and fostering programs that actually work? Chat, Chat Chat that’s all mister good for and the locals with the slave mentality follow like sheep. Blind leading blind~

  26. Dennis
    May 27, 2013

    It makes no sense to give away money based on education alone. These people need to have a business plan that works and a reasonable chance of making their business a success before the government commits to funding.

    • afan
      May 27, 2013

      business plans isnt always the best approach, its best to invest in something that is a good solid workable idea to begin with and then provide the technical support that is need. And my technical i mean everything or anything (non material)that might be needed, i.e accounting service, record keeping services, legal services,etc which the small business persons may not be able to afford or may not even know that they need. this could be provided free of charge simply by factoring this in as a cost of the project, so it has a double effect, where you are investing in good ideas which will employ ppl and produce something and creating the support and value change which will facilitate the growth of business. so a plan isnt essential if we take an innovative approach

      • Jimi Hendrix
        May 28, 2013

        @ Afan…what you said can all be incorporated into a business plan.

  27. Jimi Hendrix
    May 27, 2013

    Sometime I have to shake my head at the type of leadership we have in Dominica. Does the prime minister wake up from a dream and make policy on that basis? This is the most arsenine announcement I have ever heard. Would any of you lend money to a person who comes out of an eight week course in cooking or manicuring without a reasonable chance that business will succeed? Of you would not do that with your money, why would the Prime Minister do it with taxpayers money?

    The smells of politics all over it regardless of the cost. This has nothing to do with reducing unemployment.

    If one of those students has a good plan, the government should back the loan, but they should stay clear of everything else.

    • /////////////////
      May 27, 2013

      Jimi Hendricks how come you don’t even want the PM to help the small Entrepreneurs. What you want them to do … Smoke…. Steal… prostitute their bodies and the many more viles things that are rampant?

      Some of you persons are so one sided, that you only say things without speaking. Don’t you think that procedures and checks and balances will be in place for ensuring that the money is used as it should?

      • Jimi Hendrix
        May 28, 2013

        Why don’t you empty your bank account and stand outside of the DSC and “invest” YOUR money to every graduate?

        Didn’t you read the article? Here is what it said “once they have successfully completed an eight week program in Culinary Arts and Creative Manicure and Pedicure, the Small Business Support Unit will fund their business venture.” That means the only criterion for finding is completion of the course. Does that seem like a prudent way to fund small businesses? That should only be a start of the process. If they can present a credible business plan, then and only then should they be considered for funding. I am not against funding, but I would not back a business that has no reasonable chance of success.

  28. Frabo
    May 27, 2013

    “Be skilled be employed.” So all the un-employed are people without skills? “I (Skeritt) shall make the monies available to you.” From his pocket nuh! I, I, I, a sign of another buy-out. Say we nuh! I, I, I,. As though is he that’s calling all de shots!! well again, that’s true. He do call all the shots. Thus the word/letter I.

    • /////////////////
      May 27, 2013

      See my comments above also relates to you “Frabo”. So since it is not you, then the PM should not boost those who wants to do something for themselves. Don’t you know that Government’s responsibility is social and emcompasses everything. Who should help the young ones do something for themselves .. Isn’t it the Government? So everything is political. Well if this is the case then you and Jimi Hendricks help them noh. Stupes. But I know the likes of you do not like women to be self dependant so you can use their reliance on others to get what you want with the pretence of helping them. It is a good thing, I was taught self reliance from a very early age. Went to school and always know that I should work for myself. Taught my kids the same too. Do not see your body as a money makng machine. So all the Male macho would suffer if the girls becomes self reliant.

      Wake up and go bury your head in the sand.

      • Frabo
        May 29, 2013

        Hehehehehe…what a laugh! “wake up and go bury your head in the sand.” So, my head is not in the sand yet!!! and that’s good. This offer is just an excuse. What has been done for folks with skills and education that are unemployed? this administration has had no vision, cannot/unable to implement sound lasting initiatives to lift up the poor and strugling population.

  29. Faceup
    May 27, 2013

    So what about other people in the construction field, fishery, landscaping, etc, tell me how much cooking can you learn in eight weeks to be a cook. You know other wise it is a cunning way to go pretend then cash it in. It has happened before and it will happen again. They should be supervised.

    • Private
      May 27, 2013

      Exactly so the little money the working class people have we will take it to eat out and do our nails.

    • /////////////////
      May 27, 2013

      Yes they will be supervised and everything checks and balances will be in place to see the funds are used as should. Do you see how the banks and Credit Unions have upped in this regard. One cannot use cash carelessly as before.

  30. Marx
    May 27, 2013

    Great stuff my PM!!

  31. Jay
    May 27, 2013

    Don’t despair graduates of the Dominica State College. You see, your training is not complete. You are not qualified for the workplace and you have to follow specialisation courses in cooking and nailcare for your future to be guaranteed. Have faith in your leader.

    • Bwa kWAIEB
      May 27, 2013

      hahahahahaha good one! :-D

    • /////////////////
      May 27, 2013

      What foolishness? This is not for College Graduates. Why behave so.. This is for those persons who have not have the opportunity to attend College and who wants to become Entrepreneurs.

      Why maliciously make statements that mislead persons.

      • Jay
        May 28, 2013

        Oh, who is malicious? You want to exclude people with associate degree, looking for jobs, from this opportunity? Shame on you.

  32. lolz
    May 27, 2013

    this is a much-needed, well-deserved step in the right direction, cuz only the mighty One knows how bad we need some jobs created in our little country

    • Private
      May 27, 2013

      Really where do you see the market in Dominica to do nails and cook?

      • Bwa kWAIEB
        May 27, 2013

        Dominicans so backward. Dem people dere is joke! dey should all wear clown suits because skerrit is making a joke out of them. Ask all of them that dere my skerro if they have fushing toilet and proper sanitation, if their children have decent breakfast instead of drinkign sugar water to go school. Man DA people need a new face.

      • afan
        May 27, 2013

        yea we forget that in order for ppl to spend on them things, they must have excess cash to begin with. we need to invest more into industries which actually produces something so you have multiple levels of benefits

      • Jay
        May 28, 2013

        1) at the new Morocco hotel.
        2) on Carnival cruise ships. I bet someone is already lined up to make commission on that.

    • Open your mind
      May 27, 2013

      ‘Only the mighty one knows’?? Really?? Do you people read your comments before you post?!?!

  33. west kid
    May 27, 2013

    now that is some thing to sing about and not the return of some alleged criminal,siko seko let me see how much persons will comment and what the other politicians will say.

    • Me again
      May 28, 2013

      Training in “Culinary Arts and Creative Manicure and Pedicure”. Do you know what these involve? Simply ‘how to cook’ and ‘taking care of hands and feet’.

      I ask you, is there a bustling market for these services? Or employment opportunities in Dominica?

  34. Jimi Hendrix
    May 27, 2013

    Mr. PM have you stopped to ask why banks bring up that “dreaded word – Collateral”? In banking there is the dreaded concept of risk assessment and ensuring they reduce their risk in the face of many bad loans they have issued in the past.

    So by your logic they do not need to have a business plan, just the completion of a course. Good job Mr. PM

  35. May 27, 2013

    great move pm

  36. Voice_Of_The_Poor
    May 27, 2013

    Skerro u wrongly attacking unemployment, u have to start at the reform level, u need to lower taxes and make it easier to do business in Dominica, u cannot lower unemployment by issuing money to fund training, in other words there must be a need in the market for those services.

    • afan
      May 27, 2013

      yea man you said it well

  37. Morihei Ueshiba
    May 27, 2013

    Good move skerro let them know u not worried secko back dem fellas cannot touch you.

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