THE Youth Entrepreneur programme is now a reality in St. Lucia. The ingenious programme is the brainchild of the parliamentary representative for Castries East, Prime Minister and Economist Hon. Philip J. Pierre.
The Youth Entrepreneur programme has a unique structure. The programme is ultimately guided by the Youth Economy Act of Saint Lucia, No. 17 of 2022.It means therefore that the programme is clearly written into the Law Books of St. Lucia.
The Youth Entrepreneur Programme has a unique organizational structure: It has a Youth Economy Agency which takes policy directions from the Minister for the Youth Economy which is Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
The Youth Economy Programme is led by a Board of Directors under the leadership of a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. The terms of operation of the programme is clearly stated in the Youth Economy Act.
There is also a Board of Management under the leadership of a Chief Executive Office (CEO).
The Youth Economy Programme embraces all young people of St. Lucia between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Why that age group? This is the international age group in which young people fall. I have often written that about 72% of our population falls within that age group. And the nation must cater for these young people. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is a good listener. And he responded appropriately!
When I say that the Youth Entrepreneur programme embraces every young person, I mean that no one is left behind. It does not matter your political affiliation, religious association or family background, as long as you fall into the age group 15 to 35, you are counted in.
Now the Youth Economy Agency abbreviated YEA, was established to provide young people with a special economic space to turn hobbies or ‘dream concepts’ into entrepreneurship and skills into businesses.
Over the last few months, I have been able to observe, through exhibitions, the number of young people who are laden with skills. The Youth Economy Agency aims to carve out a unique space in the general economic system for youth entrepreneurship and business growth by providing state resources to young people to create sustainable livelihoods through business development, finance and marketing support, training and mentorship.
When I say that the youth economy will provide state resources to young people, I mean they could receive grants and loans to grow their businesses. Indeed, many of the youth applicants have received grants from the agency to start their businesses.
Young people can now pursue their dreams in the areas of Agriculture, the Arts, Production and Manufacturing, Sports and Wellness, the Services Industry and Technologies.
The young people will not be left on their own. Facilities will be provided for them to sharpen their skills through organized training and development so that they could build capacity.
Now what exactly is capacity building? Capacity building activities can include leadership and planning for future collaboration. Capacity building skills will focus on broadening the business.
Capacity building skills can help make an organization more efficient, productive and focused. Capacity building activities will provide an avenue for young people who have special interests in certain lines of economic activity such as sports, music entertainment, designing, the creative economy cultural activities, digital econ omy, Arts, agriculture and the blue economy.
Now what do I mean by the blue economy? The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean or marine resources for economic growth, improve livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem. The blue economy includes ocean industries such as fisheries, tourism and marine transport, as well as new and emerging activities such as offshore renewable energy. Aquaculture, seabed extractive activities and marine biotechnology.
The offices of the Youth Economy Agency were officially opened by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre on Monday, 3rd April during a ceremony which started at 1:45 p.m.
During that opening ceremony, our Taiwanese friends, under the leadership of Ambassador Peter Chen, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to provide more training to the young entrepreneurs.
Indeed, as an adult educator, I could confirm that training is a life-long process. There is always a need for training.
Now with the sharpened skills and enhanced business ventures and appropriate financing of those ventures, the young people will be empowered. By that I mean the young people have the authority to break all barriers to their business ventures and become successful entrepreneurs.
Well, the Prime Minister has provided the young people of St. Lucia with the opportunity to reach the sky. With a good business acumen, or a combination of knowledge and skills, the youth entrepreneurs can turn the economy of St. Lucia in such a way that our Fair Helen could be the pride and joy of our Caribbean neighbours, and indeed, the world.
They would have acquired and applied the knowledge and skills, and built the necessary confidence to take their businesses to the next level