The third cohort of participants involved in the Youth Economy Agency’s (YEA) Introduction to Business Planning Training Workshop were recognized at a Certificate Ceremony on Wednesday.
The YEA management acknowledged the support garnered for implementation of this youth income-generating initiative from private and public sector agencies. Notably, the input from Prime Minister Philip J Pierre who initiated the YEA project and his staff, as well as special gratitude to the Taiwanese Embassy that has supported the venture from its inception.
While addressing the gathering, YEA Chairman Thomas Leonce emphasized the significance of the ‘financials’ aspect in the course as an essential component for success. He told the young entrepreneurs that it requires a sense of capacity building, value and timelines to sell their products.
Leonce added that the programme affords the partakers an opportunity to create linkages and collaborate on wider projects.
YEA’s Project Officer for Training & Development Olivia Jn. Baptiste stated that it was an “impactful and transformative” programme, to empower the dreams of young entrepreneurs.
She explained that the training sessions held alternatively in Castries, and Vieux Fort offered 52 hours of training for more than 50 participants with 90% of the applicants completing the programme.
PM Pierre whose ministry has oversight for the Youth Economy noted that the country is poised for an upward trajectory with a thriving economy and it is “…going somewhere”.
“The country is moving forward …led by the young people,” the prime minister declared. He urged the young entrepreneurs to be committed and disciplined in their pursuits to succeed.
The Youth Economy Minister advised the young participants to focus on the task at hand, empower themselves, and grow their businesses into successful ventures.
In the feature address, Denell Florius, Co-Founder of Eco Carib, stated that the young entrepreneurs and business-minded persons were given an opportunity to rise and demonstrate their capabilities to produce quality products.
He implored the young business persons “to be an impact maker”, and explore avenues to access additional resources and to network in the wider business world, while also utilizing technology.
Florius said the young business persons provide a unique service, since “you are the person who creates employment …who creates services and products that other people get to use and they can make their lives better.”
He added: “You have chosen to have a different mindset, a mindset that is no longer focused on being just a consumer, but being a ‘co-sumer’. To be someone who creates products and services that can be exported throughout the region and across the globe.”
Florius asserted: “You are destined for greatness, and in doing so you will continue to get challenges along the way, but you will overcome them.”
In addition to presenting certificates to the participants, there was a Presentation of Special Awards to outstanding individuals in the following categories:
– Most Outstanding Business Plan – Marisa Marcus, of Nature Juices – with a Health Focus on producing local juices
– Most Innovative Business Idea – Earland Peter, of H & S Agro Processing
– Green Award – Benny James, of Benny’s Organic Farm
– Trailblazer Award for Excellence in Agro Tourism /YEA Female Entrepreneur Award – Lisa Elibox, of Agro Tourism.