#Chance2Connect to be launched in Youth Month

During the month of November, the Ministry of Youth and Culture, in preparing young people for a brighter future is shifting the conversation to ways in which youth can make the necessary connections with opportunities that are available to them through the Government of Jamaica.

Youth Development remains a main focus for the Government as it continues to implement ways through which young people can improve on their skills and competencies without being deterred by their circumstances. Zooming in on the issue of tertiary education and its financing, the Youth and Adolescents Policy Division in the Ministry of Youth and Culture has put together a comprehensive list of scholarships for qualified young people who want to pursue their Undergraduate or Post Graduate degrees.

This initiative, dubbed ‘#Chance2Connect’ will be launched online on Monday, November 16, 2015. Aspiring and present university students will be able to access over 100 scholarships for various levels and specific areas of study. The scholarship guide will be published as an EBook and will be made accessible on the Youth Division’s website www.youthjamiaca.com. Following the launch of the guide, full download access will be provided for convenience.

“There are a number of talented, creative and artistic young people in Jamaica and given the changes in today’s economy, there are many untapped areas of academic pursuit. In keeping with the theme for Youth Month – ‘#IAmConnected’, the Ministry will connect young people with a number of educational opportunities, allowing them to maximize on their full potential,” says the Honourable Lisa Hanna, Minister of Youth and Culture.

She added that the conversation with young people has shifted from them pursuing traditional career paths, to them opening their minds to innovation and new possibilities that will propel them into being world class citizens. The Minister is also encouraging parents and more importantly young people to carefully select their career path.

“Before you send your child to study an area at university or college, research the area to find out if a job will exist in that area in the next ten years,” urges Minister Hanna.

Michele Small Bartley, Senior Director Youth and Adolescents Policy in the Ministry of Youth and Culture explains that the month of November is being celebrated under the theme ‘#IAmConnected’ and is aimed at getting young people involved in their own personal development whether through advocacy, entrepreneurship, employment or training opportunities.

“This Youth Month as we connect with our youth, we encourage them through the ‘#Chance2Connect Initiative’ to find a scholarship that matches with their aspired career and to take this time to begin the necessary preparations that will ultimately advance their future,” says the Director.