The Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) programme will soon be available to Moblissa youths, Minister within the Ministry of the Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe has announced.
In a Region 10 release, it was related that the programme, which provides training to youths for a year before they are encouraged to venture off and start their own businesses, will be introduced to the community during the third instalment of the programme, scheduled for later this year or early next year.
The release stated that some 300 young people from the community will benefit from the initiative, which will provide them with a $30,000 monthly stipend while they receive entrepreneurial training, to assist them with transportation and the purchase of needed supplies. Participants will also receive a $50,000 grant, which will go toward the establishment of their business.
“What I see a need for is to extend this programme into Moblissa so we are going for a third cohort, it may begin during the latter part of this year or early next year, but I will ensure that Moblissa is on the list,” Garrido-Lowe promised, during government’s recent outreach to Region 10, where ministers addressed issues raised by residents.
The release noted Garrido-Lowe’s commitment to enhancing the lives of young people and her reaffirmation to help in whatever ways she can. She had stated that just as other youths in Region 10 had benefitted from the programme, after listening to the cries of young people in the community, they too will be allowed to benefit.
She had also said that unemployment rates have been reduced since the implementation of the programme, as a number of young people have gone on to gain employment, while others have become self-employed.
“So that is something that we can really do for the youths so they can save while they earn also,” she stated.
DPI reported that Garrido-Lowe’s commitment to the community was met with applause from the residents and the visiting team, which included Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix; Regional Chairman of 10 Renis Morian; Regional Vice Chairman of Region 10, Elroy Adolph; and Regional Vice Chairman of Region Four, Earl Lambert, among others.
