Ninety-one youths who completed a life and work skills training ‘Work Ready Now’ course through USAID’s Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) programme were recognised at a function held on Thursday.
Representatives from the US Embassy, the Education Ministry, the private sector, civil society and parents of the graduating youth attended the event, a press release said.
In his address to the youth, who hailed from regions Three, Four, Six and Ten, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy Bryan Hunt
commended the participants for “showing commitment to improving their lives and being prepared to work towards their own success.”
Hunt also noted the commitment of the programme’s partners in government, the private sector, civil society, the magistracy and local government who are “working and collectively striving to create an environment that can support the success of all Guyanese youth.”
USAID SKYE Livelihood and Employability Coaches will continue to advise and guide youth in their efforts at finding and keeping employment. Partnerships with private sector employers and Chambers of Commerce play a central role in these efforts. Members of the private sector have consistently assisted the programme in developing and refining training materials and practices and have offered many opportunities for young men and women to work towards realising their hopes and ambitions.
The SKYE programme focuses on youth; particularly young men who are early school leavers, youth who completed formal education but do not have the necessary skills to find employment and youth involved in the juvenile justice system. To date, 740 youth have completed life and work skills training and 270 youth have been placed into full-time employment.
