Minister Griffith says no lack of opportunities for youth

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith says a total of 441 participants are now registered in Project Dawn, a government initiative that seeks to provide skills training opportunities for young people.

He was speaking at an orientation ceremony at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) in Wildey, St Michael, where over 150 students were enrolled in the project on Monday. 

“…. For this financial year, which would have just started, 441 individuals are participating in Project Dawn to better or improve their lives… despite all that is being said in relation to the dearth of opportunities that are being offered to our young people. If there’s a belief that there’s a drought, I want to suggest to all of you this evening who will be enrolling at the SJPI that this is your oasis,” Griffith said. 

He noted that, as the name suggests, the programme signals a new beginning for those involved and an opportunity for a second chance. The minister said participants can expect high-quality training.

“The certificate that you will receive at the end of your programme… carries a legitimate stamp from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute – one that you can use for self-employment or entry-level employment on this island,” Griffith said.

He noted that the government has also made provisions, through its Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, for those participants who wish to venture into self-employment after completing the programme.

The orientation also focused on the broader benefits of Project Dawn, including financial management skills crucial for long-term success.

“It’s about how you manage the funds to save money to replace equipment, how you save money to invest in
something that will provide you with an opportunity to create wealth,” Minister Griffith explained, adding that the
opportunity being provided transcends training and encourages growth.

Project Dawn is managed by a Block Committee, which is a specialised team of three Youth Officers who specifically work on ‘blocks’ across Barbados to understand, identify and seek to facilitate the aspirations of the young people who they meet there.

Griffith encouraged the enrollees to silence naysayers who believe that “nothing good can come out of Nazareth” and invite others from the blocks who may also benefit from Project Dawn’s offerings.

Sharing that the project is on its way to becoming one of the flagship initiatives of his ministry, he stated, “The Block Committee is traversing this whole country to ensure that we provide a better path for our young people. So let them say that there’s nothing happening for our young people. Your presence here this evening is suggesting something totally different. It is suggesting that the government is putting confidence in our young people. I bow to the fact that you are investing in yourself, and the government is going to meet you halfway by investing in you as well.” 

(SM)