Jamaica Working With IDB to Boost Youth Employment

The Government is seeking to strengthen its partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on programmes aimed at boosting employment and training for young people.

State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, said the National Youth Service (NYS) is working with the IDB to develop a “comprehensive approach” to address youth unemployment through interventions such as apprenticeship and internship.

The initiative involves collaboration with Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ).

Mr. Green was speaking at the IDB’s Public Lecture on the theme: ‘The 4^th Revolution – The Global Race to Reinvent the State’, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, on Monday, May 2.

Mr. Green said the IDB has been a “fundamental partner” of the Government over the years, noting that the institution’s support in various sectors has been pivotal in “advancing the causes of the Jamaican people.”

He said that the IDB has been a key partner in the establishment of Youth Information Centres (YICs) across the island.

The YICs provide space for young people to work in a comfortable, safe environment, and to readily access information on training, job opportunities, scholarships and student loans.

The facilities also provide avenues for youth counselling, youth empowerment, family-life management, leadership training, as well as lifestyle and self-development.

“I…have to say thank you…to the IDB for all it has done for Jamaica, thus far…and for their continued support,” Mr. Green said.

“We look forward to the strengthening of our partnership, especially in the areas of education and youth,” he added.