THE National Youth Service (NYS) has received another $1-million from telecommunications provider Digicel, to assist in sustaining its Corps Programme, offered to young people aged 17 to 24.

The sum, presented at the launch of NYS Day last Wednesday at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston, represented the final payment of $3-million, which Digicel committed to the organisation over a three-year period. This installment will go toward the training and placement of teachers’ aides in basic schools and other early childhood institutions.

NYS chairman Keith Duncan lauded Digicel for partnering with the organisation, noting that the donation would benefit thousands of young people participating in the agency’s early childhood education programme.

He further praised other private sector bodies that have contributed to the development and implementation of the NYS’ training programmes.

“We believe that partnerships can be developed and that the private sector has a conscience. Once there is a vehicle for them to participate and they can ensure that they are getting value for their dollar spent, they will be on board. So we believe that we can expand the relationship with the private sector, going forward,” he said.

Digicel’s CEO David Hall said, meanwhile, that the company was pleased to have partnered with the NYS in “empowering” young people, by facilitating skills training and social development. He also noted that they were a critical part of the employment corps of the Jamaican society.

He added that even though the donation was the final payment for the promised $3 million donation, Digicel was looking forward to continuing its relationship with the NYS in other areas.

“(The) initial contribution was a commitment of $3 million, which was $1-million for three years towards teachers’ aides for the early childhood programme, and I have absolutely no doubt about what will happen over the upcoming months,” Hall said.

“We (NYS and Digicel) will sit down, and see where is the next best place to look at (for funding) whether its a new training centre or for a specific course, etc,” he added.

Since its reintroduction in 1995, the NYS has facilitated the training and employment of more than 20,000 young people from across the island.

The organisation, governed by the National Youth Service Act of 1998, offers a number of programmes to Jamaican youth. They include:

. The NYS Corps Programme and the National Summer Employment Programme;

. The Private Sector Partner Initiative and the Success Programme;

. The Gender Sensitisation Media Programme and NYS Peace Facilitators Programme; as well as the

. The Jamaica-Canada Exchange Programme and the Jamaica Values and Attitudes Project for Tertiary Students.

– JIS