Close to 200 young men and women graduated from several training modules on Wednesday, May 25th as part of the 43rd graduation ceremony of the Youth Skills Training Program.
The Skills Training Programme is facilitated by the Youth Development Division on behalf of the Youth Ministry.
At the ceremony, Youth Skills Training Instructor, Caesarina Paul, gave a status report on the tracer study conducted by the Division on the programme’s impact.
“This event represents 34 years of social and economic empowerment of Dominica youth through this timely and efficiently-managed facility which has become a household name in Dominica.
“A glimpse of the Skills Training Programme 2014/2015 tracer study indicates that 174 graduates from all the youth development districts have been afforded entry level skills which have positively impacted their socio-economic circumstances.
“In the western district, for example, 16.7%; in the east, 15%; in the north-east, 13.8%; in the south-east 1.2%; in the south, 12%; in the north, 8% and in the Roseau area, 33.3%,” Paul reported.
The training modules completed were computer literacy, electrical wiring, plumbing, auto body repair, cosmetology, sewing and woodwork.
Representing the Hon. Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit was Minister for Information, Telecommunications and Technology Hon. Kelver Darroux.
“Over the last several years, the Youth Development Division has displayed a high level of competence as it relates to developing the minds of our young people across the country.
“A skills training programme of any country is of utmost importance. When people say that Government is not doing anything for young people, this afternoon is an indication of a serious investment of Government in the lives of the youth.
“Here we are seeing over 190 young men and women graduating with various skill sets. They can then go back to their communities and make meaningful contributions to the development of their country.”
Minister for Youth, Hon. Justina Charles, had this message to the graduates.
She appealed, “I want to encourage you to please remain focused. Do not to allow the things around you to distract you. While they may look lucrative, there can be consequences that are far-reaching and can be life long. I really want to encourage you to embrace the opportunity. While you may not get employment now, do not be discouraged or impatient. Work with the skills which you have received until eventually, you grow. There are opportunities for all the skills [that you have learned].
“Find every opportunity to use the hands so you remember the skill; associate yourself with people who can help you to grow further as much as possible.
“We, as Government, will continue to invest in you. We believe that you have what it takes to continue in the development thrust of this country so we will continue to invest but it is incumbent on you to make the best of it.”
