NYS to Launch Entrepreneurship Competition

The National Youth Service (NYS) will be staging an Entrepreneurship Competition, with the winner to receive assistance to start or expand their business.

The competition will be launched this month, which is being observed as Youth Month under the theme: ‘Youth Advance: #Notleavingittochance’.

It is open to young people, who have participated in the agency’s ongoing entrepreneurship training programme.

Speaking on the JIS’ Issues and Answers television programme recently, Executive Director of the NYS, Melvin Smith, said during the competition, participants will be assisted by coaches to refine their business plans and make a national pitch for their business.

“The overall winners will be profiled as well as provided with funding to help launch or expand their businesses,” he said.

He also informed that the NYS will be targeting about 2,000 young people through sensitization sessions dubbed: ‘Entrepreneurship 101,’ where they will learn the skills needed to produce a realistic business plan.

“We are looking to do up to 50 sessions with up to 40 persons attending each session, depending on the location,” he said, adding that the sessions will assist persons in deciding whether or not they want to be entrepreneurs.

He noted that while everyone might be interested in entrepreneurship “not everybody is a potential entrepreneur.”

“From that screening, we will be able to identify persons for a more intense long-term engagement in entrepreneurship and how to move from an idea to a business,” Mr. Smith added.

Under that programme, some of the topics will include writing a business plan, financial management, marketing, dressing for success and business registration.

“Persons will also learn how to apply for permits and tax registration numbers. So all of that will be part and parcel of our entrepreneurship engagement and our intervention,” he added.

Persons, who are interested in participating in the training sessions, can visit the NYS website, www.nysjamaica.org or email thenationalyouthservice@gmail.com or call the NYS head office at 754-9816.