Dear Editor
Youth unemployment is a problem that was exacerbated under the PPP/C administration and will continue to be a challenge for the new government as youth struggle to find decent employment.
Research shows that the world’s most recognised developing economies invested significant financial and human resources in education. Regionally Trinidad and Tobago boasts of a robust Knowledge-based economy and lowest youth unemployment rate among CARICOM Member States. This is attributed to their continued investment in education infrastructure and institutional capacity.
During 2010 – 2013, the PPP/C administration expended approximately GY$101 Billion in education, largely capital investments. However during those periods institutional and human capital capacity was not boosted across the board to ensure sector wide growth. There were additions of two TVET centres and enhancement of ICT equipment at several institutions across the country however the framework under which those developments occurred were void of adequate planning and administrative oversight for implementation.
Therefore, on paper significant investments were made, however education delivery was not enhanced to ensure value for money.
Communities or localities within which those investments were made experienced increased youth unemployment, underemployment and informal employment principally due to the lack of planning by Government. Those shortcomings will continue to occur largely because enterprise and education is not inter-related in communities with high unemployment.
This government must bridge the gaps in the education sector to provide youth with opportunities to transition into decent employment. The 2015 budget proposes GY$33 Billion to the sector but this investment must be managed for development results. TVET’s mandate must go beyond TechVoc Education and Training to include employment and job creation, TVET centres must match training with labour market demands (alternatively consumer demands). Strategic relationships must be created amongst the Ministry of Education, Department of Labour, Ministry of Business’s Small Business Bureau and/or private sector interest groups, to develop integrated goals in the best interest of our youth.
Yours faithfully,
Dennis Mayers
