The Skills for Youth Employment (SkYE) programme was launched in Grenada on Tuesday, 26th February at a reception held at the Spice Basket in Beaulieu, St George’s. SkYE is a £9.1 million, four-year investment under the UK government’s programme of assistance to promote economic growth and sustainable development in East Caribbean states. The programme is managed by Mott MacDonald SVG in Kingstown.

Speaking for the UK government, Mr Terry Brathwaite, Senior Programme Officer at the Department for International Development – Caribbean noted the close ties between the UK and Caribbean states and the desire to work collaboratively to promote economic growth in the region. The SkYE programme complements UK government infrastructure investment in the Caribbean. In response, Minister Pamela Moses – Minister with Responsibility for Tertiary Education, Skills Development & Education Outreach, Ministry of Education, highlighted the Government’s commitment to youth skills development and welcomed the programme’s support to improve the quality and sustainability of technical and vocational education and training.

SkYE begins in Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines on the 1 March 2019, following eight months of research and design work. SkYE will deliver certificated TVET to over 6,000 young people aged 15-30 to improve their employability in sectors where there is evident demand for skilled workers. These include established sectors, such as hospitality and construction, as well as emerging labour markets – for example, the marine, renewable energy, IT, and agro-processing sectors.

In response to employer requirements, SkYE will also help trainees develop a strong work ethic and a range of soft skills such as personal communications, problem solving, and time management so they can function effectively in the work place. Literacy and numeracy skills will be available to some whose basic education is incomplete. Successful trainees will be assisted to move in to decent and dignified employment.

Training will be open to all young women and men, but special provision will be made for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. At least 10% of training places will be offered to young people challenged by disability.

SkYE will contract public and private training providers in the four island nations to deliver the package of technical and soft skills training with job placement services. The programme will collaborate closely with national technical and vocational training authorities and training institutions to develop their management and training capacity to deliver high-quality training, assessment processes, and qualifications for more young people in Grenada.