The Government of Montserrat on Saturday, January 21 launched its Employee Assistance Programme at Government House in Woodlands.
Phase one of the new programme is funded by DfID to the tune of EC$750,000 for 18 months and will see unemployed or underemployed young people attached to local businesses to learn a trade.
Parliamentary Secretary Gregory Willock said 60 people have registered to take part in the project and 35 have already been assigned to work with local businesses.
Ceramics artist Vinceroy Cassell welcomed the new programme, which will enable him to teach other people how to make pottery.
Farmer Charlie Joseph said he is looking forward to working with the young people and teaching them a skill which will give them a sustainable job in the agricultural sector.
Throughout the evening, music was provided by the youth band Pulse featuring Nia Golden and Dmitri Tuitt aka DJ Tula.
Host of the evening H.E. Governor Elizabeth Carriere said she was thrilled to see the project come to fruition. “This is an opportunity to empower yourself,” she told the young people in attendance. “By doing so you will shape the future of Montserrat.”
Hon. Education Minister Delmaude Ryan said the lack of a technical programme at the local college poses a problem for the local private sector. This project, aims to teach the youth a skill. A future phase of the project involves translating the skills into certification.
The project is being led by a Youth Task Force, which was established on June 26, 2016. The task force will be looking at producing national youth and sports policies, reviving community groups who will be encouraged to lead on extra curricular activities.
Learn more about the project at www.youthmni.com .
