Recently, young individuals from Castries South East received the necessary skills training to enhance their competitiveness in the job market. Shem Hippolyte, a Youth Worker at the Ministry, emphasized the significance of skill development in bolstering the island's human resources. He affirmed the Ministry's commitment to continuing this initiative in the future.

“We recognised a big issue, which is unemployment within our constituency and so we decided to come up with a career guidance seminar,” Hippolyte told SNO.

He adds “We gathered youth from the constituency and we taught them how to go out into the world of work: how to dress and present themselves. We also did interview preparations with them, asking them questions and giving them the correct responses.”

The Youth worker says the Ministry will continue these interventions to cater to the needs of current youth. “We had about 25 youth who showed up. They were very receptive, and participatory during the interactive session. There will be more job readiness seminars with youth in different areas of the island.”

As more employment opportunities become available for young people, employers are complaining about the lack of training. Youth advocates have now shifted their focus from opportunities for young people to making sure youth are qualified to access them.