The first batch of 17 youths from the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme (YEST) who completed the eight-month course  in information technology and garment construction graduated last Thursday at a ceremony held at the centre in New Amsterdam.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony told the graduates that the centre’s accomplishment was remarkable and the model which was adapted from the Sophia training programme was just the beginning since it will be expanded to include more persons because of the need and market for such a programme, the Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) reported.

He said plans are being made to include additional facilities for the programme such as an information technology laboratory.

The programme was established by government to provide educationally-deprived youths with the opportunity to regain values and in April it was extended to the Smythfield Drop-in Training Centre, New Amsterdam, Region Six.

Anthony said that one of the initiatives his ministry is working on is the development of programmes to address young people’s needs in order for them to have employable skills.

In the meantime, a survey will be conducted to determine the necessary skills needed in the region to target young people who need assistance in preparing for jobs that are available, Anthony said.

Region Six Chairman, Zulfikar Mustapha told the graduates that government is spending large sums of money in the education sector and young people should make use of the opportunities since a country is enriched by the level of its people’s educational standard.

He said the programme is of great relevance since it targets early school leavers and the region has a lot of opportunities to be exploited.

Regional Culture, Youth and Sport Officer/Supervisor, Omishwar Sirikishun noted that during the last phase of the training students were placed on work attachments at such agencies as the Regional Democratic Council, the New Amsterdam Hospital and Town Council to gain experience in the work environment. He said that assessments and evaluations from respective supervisors indicated that the performance of the students was outstanding, GINA added.