Ministry continues to develop youths

YOUTH and Sports Minister Parveen Kumar said in a bid to develop future leaders, his ministry conducted 35 empowerment trainings in the past financial year and would do another 36 this year.

He made the comment while addressing participants at the closing of the Empowerment and Mobile Skills Training and handover of youth farm initiative grant ceremony, at Dagai Village, Kadavu, on Monday.

Mr Kumar said some of the training was on financial literacy.

“This year the ministry has completed a total of nine trainings with an expected 27 more trainings to complete throughout this financial year,” he said.

“We are building our future leaders through such trainings.

“This financial literacy training enables participants to learn key areas in financing such as basic budgeting, cash flows, credit and savings and record keeping.

“Financial literacy is one of the major challenges facing young Fijians in becoming self-sufficient.

“As youths, a key component to growth is having the ability to understand and apply financial skills.”

Mr Kumar said 33 participants on Kadavu had been provided empowerment and mobile skills training and six youth clubs had received farming assistance.

He said 159 youths would benefit from the farm aid.