| |
Contact:
Virnet St. Omer-Fontenelle
Wednesday, April 07, 2004 – The Ministry of Education, Human Resource
Development, Youth and Sports is promoting small business ownership as part of
an effort to meet the employment needs of Saint Lucian youth.
On Tuesday April 6th, 2004 the Department of Youth and Sports opened a two day
activity, the Young Entrepreneurs Forum, to expose young people to the processes
involved in, and the financial and technical services available for starting and
sustaining a small business.
Youth Development Officer with the Department of Youth, Mr Jim Xavier says the
forum is a very critical initiative, as government and the private sector cannot
absorb all of the young people seeking employment in Saint Lucia. He says giving
young people direction about what they can do to contribute to the enrichment of
their lives, as well as their community is therefore important.
Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth and Sports, Mr Henry Mangal was
encouraged by the level of participation. He said that by agreeing to explore
the potential of going into business for themselves, the young people had
demonstrated self-confidence, motivation, and capability to improve themselves.
President of the National Youth Council (NYC) Mr Silas Wilson says the programme
did not go far enough to address the employment needs of the youth, but he
however endorsed it as part of an effort to deal with unemployment and poverty.
|
