National Youth Corps launched, 500 to start training in April

President David Granger in delivering a charge at the launch of the National Youth Corps at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway Thursday told young people that the country needs them now more than ever.

With the commencement of the Youth Corps, 1,000 young people from across the country will now be provided with the opportunity to empower themselves.

The young people between the ages of 16 to 35 were drawn from various training programmes and initiatives under the government.

Some 500 youths will begin training in April in various programmes that will see them either becoming employable or establishing their own businesses.

“This country needs youths more than ever. Our economy is about to experience high levels of economic growth in the advent of petroleum production next year. The development of a diversified economy will expand opportunities and generate increased employment. It will demand, however, more skilled individuals,” President Granger said.

He described the four pillars of the corps as education, equality, empowerment and employment.

Education, he noted, is the foundation of achievement and a country will fail if its young people are not developed.

The launch of the National Youth Corps is one of many training opportunities provided by the government to empower young people and foster entrepreneurs.

The National Youth Corps was first launched on January 1, 1968. It was aimed at addressing the challenges young people faced such as poverty and lack of vocational education.

The corps lasted for seven years and was deemed a massive success having instructed 1200 persons in agricultural and industrial skills. (Extracted and modified from Department of Public Information)