Grenada will soon welcome its first garment production Cooperative.

The Government led initiative will be based at Pearls, St. Andrews and primarily provide service in the creation of school uniforms for all students enrolled in the Government Uniform assistance Program.

The scope of work for this initiative, will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth development, Sports, Culture and the Arts through its YUTBIZ Program.

Yutbiz is a government micro- credit program designed to support new ideas, offer business training, and technical support, business consultation among other key services to young aspiring entrepreneurs.

Successful participants for the first phase of the project are now equipped and ready for the challenge following a one week intensive training session.

The facility soon to be opened will boost the country’s manufacturing sector and will ultimately serve as the market where many local companies’ uniforms can be sewn.

Addressing the successful participants at a certification ceremony held at the Grenada Youth and Cultural Centre, Permanent Secretary for Youth Development, Norman Gilbert, encouraged participants to make maximum use of the opportunity provided.

“I want for you to see this finally as an opportunity for you not only for yourself but for your family and to also provide a needed service to the population of Grenada.”

The training, done in partnership with the Grenada Cooperative League focused on several key areas which included, Cooperative By-Laws, Work ethics and business Plan development.

Randy Cadet, Vice-president of the Grenada Cooperative League, encourage the participants to grab on the opportunity, stay focus, united and fly beyond limits.

“This is your thing to own, you have to go forth stay focus, stay united, committed and let this thing grow into the big thing that you know it can grow into.”

In August, participants will be engaged in further training. The three-phase training approach will place emphasis on theoretical and practical sessions. The training areas to be covered are   Co-operative formation, Co-operative Management and Garment Production Management Meanwhile, consultation continues with key stakeholders to discuss the way forward.