Sixty-two young men and 130 young women were awarded certificates at the 43rd annual Youth Skills Training Program Graduation Ceremony, after undergoing months of training, between February 2015 and April 2016.
The ceremony was held at the Arawak House of Culture, on Wednesday afternoon.
The young people were trained in modules such as cosmetology, computer literacy, electrical wiring, plumbing, wood work, sewing, auto body repair, among others.
According to Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Constituency Empowerment, Justina Charles, a total of $173,804.99 was “well spent” by government ministries in the purchase of materials for the modules, to provide trainees with fortnightly stipends during training, and to pay instructors.
Charles urged participants to remain focused on their goals.
“Remain focused,” she said. “Do not allow the things that are around you to distract you. While it may look lucrative but there can be consequences that are far-reaching, and can be life-long.”
Acting Youth Skills Training Instructor, Caesarina Paul, stated that the program places emphasis on the holistic development of youth.
“Much emphasis is placed on the holistic formation of our young people. We recognize the importance of life skills and soft skills,” she articulated.
This approach to youth development, she noted, is “the differentiator, and it makes the Youth Skills Training Program a unique brand.”
Paul said that a 2014-2015, study report indicated that 174 graduates from all the youth development districts had been afforded entry-level skills, which have positively impacted their socio-economic circumstances.
Participation by gender during the period indicated 68% female and 32% male. 45% of those traced had gained employment, following completion of their respective training programs.
Meantime, a participant in the Auto Body Repairs program, Kervin Nicholls, encouraged youth to adopt positive attitudes and take advantage of opportunities presented.
“Be consistent, and keep a positive mindset because the change to a better world begins with you… everything positive follows a right attitude,” he said. “Seize any positive opportunities that are created for you.”
During the past 34 years, 7,595 Dominicans have been trained under the Youth Skills Training Program, with an annual average of 223 trained, and average employment generation of 170 persons per annum.
Having the diploma is a good thing but will it be kept as a trophy ?Where are the fields who demands these diplomas are at the moment?How long should they wait?We will see the same pattern taking place in Dominica ,where people from the same family get jobs because there families are already employed where they get a job…If you don’t know any one you are left out in Dominica to get a job>It is a question of class ,where you live also plays a role.
Congratulations to all the Graduates ..Mmm! Wonder why
So where are all the comments..Do we just comment
on Melee .Isn’t this a good thing for the Youths.
senseless people why turn every positive movement into negative be positive for once its better trainned and use the training wisely than sitting by the road catching flies
Congratulations to each one of you. Smart training and move in the right direction.
There are always happy days/years ahead. Keep up the spirit, energy of seeking employment. Be patient, positive and persevere while doing so. When you have obtained one, be diligent, enthusiastic and energetic to fulfill your duty.
this opens a wider opportunity to obtain a better, stable paying job.
There are times in order to obtain employment be it part-time or permanent, you may have to accept a position which is not quite what you trained for or hoped for. Nevertheless, once you have one foot inside the doors so-to-speak,
Know that experience gained is never in vain which you could record on your Resume and build an excellent and helpful one also for a better and higher position.
You know the saying, “You must creep before you walk.” Many have done that in this respect and succeeded.
Good luck to all of you. May God bless you in every manner.
Youth division I say codo’s to you, continue to empower the youth with skills they will certainly need in the future…as a former facilitator of the program I hope and pray that government will continue t do what they can to help those who want to be helped and encourage those who a blinded by politics…training the youth of a country is not a political gimmick but rather it set them up for future prosperity…knowledge acquired last a lifetime….
Miss Paul and Mrs. Charles, given the reality that employment is so low here in Da., will these youth be able to find employment in the region? Put another way, what is the VALUE of these CERTIFICATES?
HOTEP!
Positive vibes.
Did two training programs with them back in the day…one bachelors, mba and amazing job later, I’m grateful.
The look on the faces of those young people shows that they were disappointed Justina Charles was the key note speaker since she does not even have the ability to motivate a fly. I could tell these young people only wanted to hear the new “hero”, who has become a “real man,” and grew some 10 ft. since he, Ian Pinnard, is the ONLY one that can motivate young people.
Good, so here they come NEP. Hopefully DLP will be out of the way very soon so they can put their basic knowledge to work and earn a descent living.
Always Assertive!
Congratulations to all of the young people
I guess all the graduates were over 15 yrs, right? So in that case I bet the former Minister did not give the key note speech right?
45% of the participants gained employment??? That means based on 2014/15 participants of 174 almost 80 gained employment. Boy, these people can talk BS. Give us the name of the 80 so we can ask some of them and varify your claim. Nothing but political rethoric and blatant lies from an increasingly desperate government that is loosing the plot completely.
Excellent,……Now let us get and keep them GAINFULLY employed, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Constituency Empowerment, Justina Charles.