Assistance needed for 2,000 youths to access apprenticeships
THE NEW Employment Opportunities for Youth (NEO) programme aims to place 2,000 young persons in apprenticeships through a new crowdfunding initiative, using the ISupportJamaica.com platform.
Alicia Glasgow Gentles, executive director of the Multicare Youth Foundation (MYF), the executing agency for NEO which trains and places youth in apprenticeships, said that the apprenticeship programme requires US$26,000 to be raised, to assist with daily transportation and lunch costs for the participants.
“We anticipate that through the provision of skills training and job opportunities, we can reduce youth unemployment,” she said. “The young people who are employed will achieve greater self-confidence, and we can also help reduce crime and violence.”
CLOSING THE GAP
NEO Jamaica aims to train 10,000 youth in self-development overall through this regional initiative. A total of 2,000 of them will be placed in apprenticeship through partnerships with the private and public sectors.
The programme aims to close the gap between the skills of young people and the increasing demand among corporate entities for qualified personnel.
Glasgow noted that businesses are willing to pay a stipend to the participants, but the apprentices are from poor and vulnerable communities and need to assist their families, while participating in the apprenticeship programme.
The apprentices are also taught the LEGS principle – learning, earning, giving and saving. So, part of their stipend will go to a savings plan in their name.