– President Granger

PRESIDENT David Granger said while government recognises it is impossible for everyone to have a job in the public service, his administration has developed policies geared at helping out-of-school youths to become entrepreneurs.

The President expressed these remarks while responding to questions from a resident during a community meeting at Rose Hall Town on Friday.

“The possibilities of employment in the government are always going to
be there, but the possibilities of self-employment are unlimited. By
this I mean the government has established several programmes; one is
called Sustained Livelihood Entrepreneurial  Development programme
(SLED) in which young people are given financial assistance to start
up a business. There is also the Hinterland Enterprises for Youths
(HEYS) which is mainly in the hinterland. So, there are about half a
dozen schemes which help young people who are interested in starting
up a business, but they must be serious and the government will help
you if you have a serious plan,” he said.

He continued that while not everyone can become an entrepreneur, they
should not only seek government jobs but aim for higher positions
and try to stay out of drugs, since this has serious repercussions.

“I am not saying that is suitable for everybody, but young people don’t
have to look forward to becoming clerks in the public service…. At
the same time going into drugs is full of pitfalls because soon or
later you are going to be a victim of a drug lord.”

On the topic of youth opportunities, another question was raised about
steelpans for the town’s youths and also recreational facilities.

In response, the President, while agreeing that every village should
have a community ground, noted it is important for villages to
take responsibility for the maintenance of the grounds.