Charles Jr challenges private sector to meaningfully engage at-risk youth

MINISTER OF Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr says more support and greater investments are needed to address the ongoing issue of stigmatisation of at-risk youth.

In order to promote a more dynamic and inclusive workforce, Charles Jr urged private sector stakeholders to see at-risk persons as a group with “untapped potential” and a “reservoir of talent” during his presentation at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Positive Pathways private sector forum, held on Tuesday at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

“You still have too many persons who have to be modifying their résumé ...out of fear and out of real concern,” he said.

“By providing them with opportunities for gainful employment, for mentorship, for support, it is expected that we’re going to transform their lives and also transform the communities that they come from,” the minister added.

He further implored stakeholders to view at-risk youth as more than a target group for a particular initiative,and to treat them as an “essential group of Jamaicans who have potential and who, if given a real chance we can harness what we call unbridled energy and direct them into positive pathways”.

The forum, which was held under the theme ‘Partnering to build a more inclusive and equitable society’, was targeted at the private sector for it to learn ways in which support can be given to at-risk youth nd to create an opportunity for these organisations to collaborate with one another and explore employment solutions.

Pamela Foster, USAID acting country representative, recognised the private sector’s commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of Jamaicans.

Highlighting that the nation was challenged in dealing with crime and violence, which Foster labelled a health, economic, and public-safety issue, she expressed how pleased she was for a forum such as this to come up with solutions geared at at-risk youth.

While USAID did not have the capacity to create employment opportunities, Foster said they utilise key strategies such as workforce development and subsequent apprenticeship and job placement to prevent violence among vulnerable youth and prepare them for employment.

“We know there are challenges involved with hiring and retaining at-risk youth. They are dealing with challenges such as food security, shelter security, single-headed parent households, being the head of households themselves;,but we believe [that] with challenge, there is an opportunity, and equally important, a solution just as with any other youth seeking employment,” she said.

asha.wilks@gleanerjm.com1`