Successful participants were awarded an Angel Fund, comprising a cash injection of EC$5,000.00 to invest in their business. YEA Training and Development Officer, Ms Olivia Jn Baptiste, encouraged the recipients to use the skills gained to develop their businesses.
“The future is not something that just happens; it is something we create. It is a collective effort, a collaborative endeavour. Your minds, now equipped with knowledge and fortified by this training, are the architects of the futures you aspire to build. I urge you to go forth with the confidence that you are not alone in this journey,” Jn Baptiste encouraged the young entrepreneurs.
This second cohort of Business Planning trainees numbered 64 in total. The first Business Planning group in June numbered 92, whilst YEA also concluded training in Introduction to Digital Marketing with a class of 60 in August. According to the YEA, the business development trainings have a success rate of 98%.
The Training and Development Officer reminds the recipients of the responsibility they have in shaping the country. She urges them to shape a future worth living in.
“You are part of a community of empowered minds, a network of individuals who believe in the power of innovation and the potential within each one of you. Congratulations on this achievement, young entrepreneurs. As you step into the future, remember that the seeds we planted here will grow into the landscapes you dream of creating. Each certificate you hold is a testament to the resilience, the passion, and the futures you are building,” she says.
Several special awards were presented. From Cedar Heights in Vieux Fort, the winner of the YEA award for Most Outstanding Business Plan was Mr. Josiah Antoine of Island Tea. From New Development, Soufriere, the recipient of the award for Most Innovative Business Idea was Ms. Moanna Calixte-Octave of Mo’s Products for her cocoa-based line. The YEA EcoVation Excellence Award went to agriculturist Mr. Imnah Alexander of Haven Farm, Dacretin, Choiseul. Additionally, facilitator Mrs. Deborah Nicholas-Charlery recognised Ms. Kizzie Theodore (Kizzie's Delicious Bites), Ms. Annice Jn Panel (Helen Luxury Villas), and Mr. Tennyson Estephane (Dorvil's Automobile) for their tenacity and teamwork.
In a little over 8 months, having opened its doors in April 2023, YEA has disbursed more than 350 grants, trained over 220 young people in Business Planning and Digital Marketing, and engaged a further 30 through its mentorship programme. The Agency is looking forward to supporting many more youth entrepreneurs in the year ahead.