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Contact:
John Emmanuel
Monday, June 14, 2004 - Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs,
Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony has been speaking about available avenues and
additional opportunities that will open up to hundreds of young St. Lucians in
the next few months. Commenting on the need for a solid educational grounding in
his weekly Radio Address, Dr. Anthony pointed to the establishment of the Human
Resource Development Credit Facility. That financial assistance programme
comprises part loan from a financial institution and part grant from government.
Prime Minister Anthony spoke of the National Skills Development Centre as a main
instrument for development of youth potential. Since its inception in 2000, and
partnering with other agencies like the BELFUND, the PRF and the BNTF among
others, the centre has provided training in new skills and various forms of
employment to over 1,500 young persons in 50 different technical and vocational
skills.
Lamenting what he described as still too high unemployment figures, Dr. Anthony
says relief is to come “with expansion of the economy” and the coming on stream
of the Youth Apprenticeship Programme. That initiative is designed to stimulate
youth participation in the economy, by providing on-the-job training to some
2,500 young persons over a three year period.
Further assistance will come by means of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund.
That programme is designed to make loans available to young persons wishing to
establish their own businesses.
Meanwhile, the overall success of many of theses initiatives, Dr. Anthony said,
will hinge in large measure, on support from the private sector: “As the main
beneficiaries of the skills in which our young people are being trained, the
private companies and businesses are being encouraged by the government to play
a greater role in creating employment and training opportunities for our young
people”. Dr. Anthony said further, “As I indicated earlier, the government will
be meeting half the cost of training under the YAP. To further support this
initiative, the government proposes to amend the Income Tax Act to provide a tax
credit to employers for permanently retaining apprentices, who have completed
apprenticeships with their firms. This tax credit will be for a period of three
years, provided that the trainees remain in the employment of the company.”
And as preparations continue in the region for the Caribbean’s hosting of World
Cup Cricket 2007, the skills, energy, knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm of
young St. Lucians are being looked upon as key ingredients in making the event
an economic success.
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