Right time for YES to expand, Griffith says

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, believes that the time is right for the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) to expand its reach into the Caribbean market.

He made these comments during Saturday’s Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme’s Graduation Ceremony held at Sandals Barbados Resort and Spa.

Griffith said that after 30 years of the initiative assisting young Barbadians with their business ideas, moving out into the wider region was now possible.

“It is time for us to go in the region now, and we have started the process of looking to see how we can move YES outside of Barbados, and how we can make yes fly in the same way that you [do].”

He added that he was aware of the difficulties experienced by some students whose classes at tertiary levels often class with YES sessions. He revealed that it was the Ministry’s intention going forward, to have YES courses certified by the University of the West Indies, in order to help alleviate some of the pressure experienced by students.

“I’ve asked the [YES] manager to interact with the University of the West Indies through the continuing studies [programme], where your programme and the next cohort more than likely will be certified. The fact that you are here immediately after COVID, I think that we should try to see how best that we can [cooperate] with you to ensure that you are certified as far as this programme is concerned.”

Griffith told the 42 graduates that they must also expand the availability of their products and services to international markets if they wish to see their brands grow.

“I would suggest to you that we have missions in several countries — Africa, Europe, all over the place — and hence Barbados must not be your destination for you to take flight, circle and land. You must try to go to another destination with your product, with your services, whatever it is, [because] you cannot see Barbados as the only destination for your own journey.”