FIFTY young entrepreneurs, trained under the Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) Project, are now financially empowered to execute their business plans.This is thanks to USAID, and a pledge from the Guyana Government to finance another 50.
The successful entrepreneurs were yesterday presented with their awards during the SKYE Youth Entrepreneurship Grant Award Ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel.
To date, 70 entrepreneurs have benefited from this initiative, which amounts to approximately $14M, with each award valued at $200, 000.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway; Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry; SKYE Chief-of-Staff, Magda Fiona Wills; President and CEO of the Education Development Centre, David Offensend; SKYE’s Juvenile Justice and Gender Specialist, Dale Erskine; and USAID Mission Director, Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Christopher Cushing, were among the officials present at the ceremony.
Through SKYE, at-risk youth in Guyana are exposed to education, skill-building and employment opportunities. The primary goal of the project is to reduce youth crime and violence by strengthening economic participation, and civic engagement.

PROJECT REPORT
According to Wills, the project has reaped tremendous success, attracting over 2600 youths from Regions 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), 5 (Mahaica-Berbice), 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne), 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
“We have successfully trained over 1800 youth, of which over 910 have been linked to employment and further studies. 70 are new entrepreneurs, and coaches are currently working with 700-plus youth, some of whom are the new entrepreneurs,” Wills said as she painted a vivid picture of the project’s remarkable success.

It was explained that under the “Be Your Own Boss” component of the project, 275 youth were trained, and 112 business plans submitted.
However, Wills said USAID was only able to finance 70 of the business plans. Government has since pledged to finance 50 additional ones.
The other components of the SKYE initiative include Detention Prevention, which involves a system of alternative sentencing and diversion for minor offenders; ‘Welcome Home’, which allows for the reintegration of youth offenders; and the ‘Get Ready to Work’ component.
To date, 92 youth have been alternatively sentenced, with two back in the system.
Wills said when the project moves on or changes shape, its aim is to have all materials and methodologies developed under the project distributed among the “right” group of people to ensure that “Work-Ready Training” remains in Guyana.

NEW FOCUS

“Our new focus within this year,” she said, “will be on a basic literacy curriculum that the EDC has successfully implemented, and is currently being assessed to be adapted for the Guyanese youth who are not literate.”
To ensure that the project has a greater reach, Wills said the SKYE team has moved to establish the SKYE Coach Volunteerism initiative.
“Today, we have two sets of volunteers. We have a group of volunteers who answered the call that went out via social media and to the disciplined forces. We have members of the Prison Service, Fire Service, Police Service, University of Guyana lecturers and students. We have entrepreneurs and teachers…
“Our second group of volunteers are our very own SKYE Youth who came through and are ready to give back,” she explained. A total of 48 Coach Volunteers have been trained in SKYE’s coaching methodology using the ‘Assets’ based approach.

JOB WELL DONE

US Ambassador, in applauding the work being done by USAID through its SKYE initiative, said it is gratifying to know that the grants will not only aid in the launching of businesses, but will help to generate income.
“The SKYE programme has reached those most in need through mentoring, counselling, and work related training.
“As a result, 200 youth have continued their studies; over 1900 youth received workforce development training, 700 are now employed; and 60 entrepreneurs started businesses.
“These successes represent achievements that empower youth and change lives,” Ambassador Holloway said as he underscored the critical role the project continues to play.
According to Ambassador Holloway, his country’s role in supporting the interests and aspirations of youth in Guyana is a representation of its democracy and governance programmes that foster youth engagement in political processes and health programmes.
“The SKYE programme,” he said, “is making a valuable contribution and the partnerships developed along the way will continue to have lasting impact on the programme’s sustainability and on participants’ lives.
“The SKYE volunteer initiative…is an example of a strong partnership focuses at involving those who are best positioned to understand the needs within their communities and who have a desire to play a role in their communities’ transformation.”
He said that though the project will come to an end in September 2016, the US Government will remain committed to the development of youth in Guyana.
In offering government’s commitment to offer financial grants to 50 additional entrepreneurs under the SKYE initiative, Minister Henry expressed gratitude to USAID for its unwavering support in equipping at-risk Guyanese youth with requisite skills, knowledge and finance needed to contribute the development of Guyana.
“To get dividends,” she said, “one has to invest and for youth that means investing in education, skills, training….and all the other services that will provide you with opportunities.”
In closing, she challenged the beneficiaries to contribute to the development of Guyana. “Go on! Contribute to society! Guyana needs you!”