The Department of Youth and Culture, through its Job Link-Up programme has recognized 12 young people for having successfully concluded their six month attachment to the programme. The participants were awarded certificates at the programme’s third annual graduation ceremony which was held on Thursday 3rd May at Da Vida’s Restaurant and Spa. 4 other participants were also recognized for having participated in the programme.
The Job Link-Up initiative which was launched in April 2009 is geared towards facilitating the entry of young people between the ages of 15-24 who are unemployed or at-risk of becoming unemployed due to particular socio-economic or personal circumstances into the workforce. Participants in this programme a selected based on a combination of challenging factors which include, but not limited to: non-completion of high school; low levels of literacy and numeracy; personal disability; frequent contact with justice or social support systems; homelessness, or risk of becoming homeless. It is expected that as a result of the initiative at-risk youth will widen their education and skill base, develop positive attitudes about work and themselves, gain quality work experience and become gainfully employed.
The programme has also launched its 4th cycle with a cohourt of 16 clients. Currently these participants are being individually assessed by a career guidance specialist, while participating in a two week orientation programme, after which individual action plans will be developed to guide their entry into the workforce and/or continuing education. During their attachment to the programme, participants will also be exposed to a variety of personal development sessions and individual counselling as well as regular monitoring and evaluation.
The Department of Youth and Culture, and Job Link-Up Core Management Team will like to express their sincere gratitude to the workplaces and referral agencies that continue to partner with the programme. These include: Departments within the Ministry of Social Development; the Community and Youth Development centres and Churches; Anguilla Aluminium; Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service; Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources; Environmental Health Unit; Sunset Homes; Anguilla Water Corporation; Da Vida’s Restaurant and Spa; ANGLEC; Webster-Dyrud Michelle; Ben and Dolly’s Upholstery; Anguilla Masonry Products; Sand Bar; Maranatha Methodist Pre-School; MICU; The Blowing Point Youth Development Centre and Rosewood Senior Citizen’s Home.
The Ministry of Social Development is encouraging businesses, establishments and other departments who are interested in partnering with the programme to contact the Department of Youth and Culture at 498-3792/497-0969 or email hyacinth.augustine@gov.ai
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
