The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has established an organising committee in an effort to expand and improve career/knowledge fairs aimed at empowering youth.

According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said over the years the programme has been informing youth about available job opportunities. He said too often many children pursue their secondary education without thinking of possible career goals and other times, despite being qualified, they lack the confidence to apply for jobs.

As such the fairs will now encompass training youth how to write their curriculum vitae, aspects of job interviews and how to adapt to a working environment.

The minister said the organising committee will also be tasked with compiling pertinent information from various agencies as it relates to job descriptions for vacant positions in brochures. Meanwhile, Director of Youth, Carl Brandon made a Power Point presentation in which he described a career fair as an event involving organisations, agencies and companies setting up booths to showcase their operations as well as to publicise the training and employment opportunities that they offer. These aids are expected to help youth to plot their career path.

According to GINA the programme targets school leavers who are unemployed, students seeking employment, persons seeking a career change, students seeking internship (on the job training) secondary school children and parents who will be assisting their children with making wise career choices.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary at the ministry Alfred King said the fairs are organised by the public, private and manufacturing sectors however, the ministry is hoping to garner a wider range of partnerships with stakeholders to help youth make more informed choices. Director of Youth, Dr James Rose said while there is a wide range of skills available there is no effective process to hone them. He said too career fairs are more than just bringing people to employers it is also about “expanding their horizons, thus allowing them to explore their options.”