Gov’t remains committed to youth empowerment – PM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government remains committed to continue delivering on policies conducive to youth empowerment, where young people can self-actualise and achieve their dreams like never before.

Speaking to a group of young people at the Almond Tree Hotel and Restaurant in Ocho Rios, following a tour of sections of St Ann on June 23, Holness said it is against this background that the Government has undertaken some transformative initiatives to empower the youth and pave the way for their future success.

“It is important to continue [creating a climate] where you can compete, exchange ideas and challenge yourselves. This is not about brainwashing or [manipulating], but about providing you with the tools and opportunities to realise your true potential,” the prime minister said.

One of the pivotal achievements he highlighted was the Government’s decision to make HEART/NSTA Trust programmes free, enabling young people to access quality skills training and development opportunities without financial barriers.

Additionally, he underscored the Government’s commitment to promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education by offering scholarships to deserving students, thereby fostering innovation and excellence in critical fields.

Holness further emphasised the administration’s efforts to streamline access to education by removing the need for guarantors for student loans, thereby ensuring that aspiring scholars can pursue their academic goals without unnecessary obstacles. He lauded the impact of the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education in supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing them with essential resources and opportunities for personal and educational growth.

“I am glad I am speaking to some of our young people today, as [some] of what I am listing we have never seen in our history. We will be the first to admit that there are challenges, but we have accomplished a lot as a government,” Holness added.

The prime minister, in addressing the state of the economy, said the Government had successfully reduced the unemployment rate to an unprecedented low of 4.2 per cent, a significant decline from the staggering high of 30 per cent in previous years. He pointed out that the current economic landscape presents great opportunities for young people, with sectors such as tourism, business process outsourcing and construction facing challenges in finding skilled workers to meet growing demands. “Employment brings independence, and that is why we have been strategic in our approach. Our goal is to achieve high employment rates and ensure that our workforce receives competitive wages,” Holness added.