Hanover Students Receive Support to Launch Microenterprises

Enterprising high school students in Hanover will be equipped with skills and small grants to launch microenterprises under the Social Development Commission (SDC) Youth Entrepreneur Programme (YEP).

Being implemented in partnership with the Infiniti Co-operative Credit Union, YEP aims to foster entrepreneurial thinking and financial literacy among students from grades nine to 13, helping them to move business ideas from concept to reality within schools and wider communities.

Over the 12-week period, participants will progress from business ideation to execution.

The SDC has increased its grant awards announcing that the top-three students will now receive $60,000, $40,000, and $20,000, respectively, along with trophies and certificates. Other supporters have pledged additional funds.

At the launch of the programme at the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa in Lucea on Wednesday (April 15), where students presented their business ideas, Green Island High School student Orlando Hylton, said the initiative bridges the gap between theory and real-world application.

“In the theory of business, we know how to write a business plan… but a map is useless if we do not leave the house,” he said.

“Instead of just reading about supply chains or marketing, we are now on the road to actually doing it with SDC’s guidance. We will learn how to turn a small idea into a registered business that actually matters to our community and our school,” he added.

Student at Knockalva Technical High School, Sanisha Roach, said she is eager to learn how to bring a business concept to life.

“I decided to become a part of this initiative because I believe that everybody should have some entrepreneurship skills. It helps to create a sense of self, and it is a good experience for young people to help create a better future for everybody,” she pointed out.

Director of Local Economic Development at the SDC, Avril Ranger, underscored the programme’s broader impact.

“It’s about inspiring students to see themselves not only as jobseekers but as job creators – individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the development of their schools, their environment and, ultimately, the wider society,” she said.

Furthermore, Deputy Executive Director of Field Services at the SDC, Samuel Heron, noted that the programme represents a significant step in youth empowerment.

“It (YEP) signals the beginning of a transformative journey for our young people, one that encourages creativity, nurtures innovation, and builds the foundation for financial independence and leadership,” he emphasised.

For his part, Regional Sales Manager at Infiniti Co-operative Credit Union, Conroy Ward, underscored the organisation’s commitment to youth development, noting that students have already demonstrated remarkable creativity.

“We are seeing ideas that we would not have thought of. It is a new generation, and their ideas are out of this world. We are here to guide them and see what they come up with,” he said.

The YEP initiative incorporates a strong mentorship component, equipping students with practical skills in bookkeeping, business plan development, negotiation, and project and grant proposal writing.

Participants will be assessed based on the execution of their business ideas, with top performers emerging as programme champions.

Each approved student will also receive $10,000 in seed funding, with funds deposited into an Infinti Co-operative Credit Union account.