Thirty-six of the forty-two participants who graduated from the Introduction to Bookkeeping Training Programme last November will now benefit from the Bookkeeping II — Accounting Software Integration Training Programme being offered by the Youth Economy Agency (YEA).
The second phase of the training programme is testament to the commitment by the YEA and Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to build capacity among Saint Lucia’s budding entrepreneurs, thereby improving their marketability and profitability.
A registration and orientation ceremony was held on Wednesday afternoon, January 29, 2025, at YEA’s office on Chaussee Road, Castries, where participants were encouraged to make the most of the opportunities being provided to enhance their overall entrepreneurial potential.
In her brief remarks at the registration and orientation ceremony, H.E. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, said Taiwan has worked closely with the YEA to provide various training programmes to support Saint Lucia’s young talents. She noted that special focus was put on women’s empowerment because by empowering women, we are empowering the world.
“I think we can all agree that bookkeeping is not just about skills; it’s about opening the door to your financial independence, your career growth, and economic opportunities,” Ambassador Su said.
Ambassador Su added: “On behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and our Taiwan Technical Mission, I’d like to reaffirm our commitment to working alongside the YEA and with the Saint Lucia Government and, of course, the young talents of Saint Lucia. We will definitely commit ourselves and we will advance ourselves together, hand in hand. I would like to encourage all participants to fully engage yourselves. Bring the best of your passion to the classroom, and let’s work together to make things happen.”
Mr. Anselm Mathurin, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Youth Economy Agency, said that without the assistance from the Taiwan Technical Mission, the programme would not be possible. He noted that Taiwan gave the first seed contribution to the YEA which opened its doors in April 2023.
“You are at the cutting edge of technology,” Mathurin told the participants. “What you’ll be learning is, in fact, so far ahead that the majority of businesses in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean are still not using this solution. They still rely on books and ledgers and have their accountants carry all the check leaves and stubs at the end of the month or year. You’ll be among the first to actually learn this software, especially in your age group.”
In providing an overview of the course, Ms. Olivia Jn. Baptiste, YEA’s Project Officer for Training and Development, said many young entrepreneurs face challenges with bookkeeping and accounting, prompting the YEA to offer the training programmes.
Jn. Baptiste said the primary goal of the programme is to equip participants with practical skills in digital financial management to empower them with the requisite knowledge and skills to establish and adeptly maintain effective bookkeeping practices.
“Finance is arguably the most critical resource in any business, serving as the lifeblood that fuels all operations,” Jn. Baptiste told the participants. “The success of any small business or enterprise — whether large or small — hinges on efficient financial management. This training is designed to give you a clearer understanding of your business’s financial position and help you make informed decisions.”
During the training programme, participants will be introduced to accounting software for financial management, enhance their ability to track expenses, generate financial reports, and ensure tax compliance, and promote financial literacy and best practices in business financial management.
Nineteen participants from the north of the island will attend classes at YEA’s office on Chaussee Road, Castries, while seventeen participants from the south will attend classes virtually. The official training period runs from February 3 to March 7, 2025, and classes will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. In total, participants will receive 42 hours of class time, and will be facilitated by Mr. Deverant Joseph and Ms. Gabrielle Louisy.
To be eligible for a certificate and an angel grant of EC$1,000.00, participants must complete the programme with no less than an 85% attendance rate, and submit a financial portfolio with their financial statements which will be evaluated.
Meanwhile, during her closing remarks at the session, Mrs. Khrystal Riviere, Chief Operations Officer of the YEA, welcomed Ambassador Su to her new role, adding that the YEA looks forward to working closely with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Riviere also encouraged participants to take advantage of the free training opportunities being provided by the YEA and the Taiwan Technical Mission.
“While you will not be paying out of pocket for this training programme, the YEA and the Taiwan Technical Mission are investing approximately EC$60,000.00 to empower the 36 of you. In return, we encourage you to invest your time and effort toward your own success because we reap our greatest rewards from knowing that we have taken you from one point to another. We want nothing else from you except that you succeed.”
In 2024, the Taiwan Technical Mission and YEA co-hosted a series of practical workshops for young entrepreneurs, including Costing and Pricing, Introduction to Business Planning, Elevate Your Pitch Training Workshop, and Introduction to Bookkeeping, and a Business Mixer. A total of 243 participants benefited from these workshops.