For the first time, the Ministry of Youth will be introducing an industry-specific skills Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development programme to engage 40 youth in animation, graphic design, and videography training.

“We have also built-in exposure/internship opportunities into the programme to ensure that our young people will develop their technical expertise and be ready to start their careers at the end of the training. This is an $8-million programme,” portfolio minister, Lisa Hanna said.

She was making her contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 20.

Miss Hanna noted that this new programme is an example of the synergies that are being built across the ministry. In addition, the minister informed that the National Youth Service (NYS) and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) have entered into a partnership for the training and placement of 60 young people in the area of events management and production.

“This programme was piloted with good results and will now become a standing offering from the NYS and the JCDC,” Miss Hanna said.

She noted that following the completion of a one-week residential training in basic events management, the trainees will be assigned to JCDC offices islandwide to complete a six-month internship and receive a monthly stipend from the NYS, giving them much-needed hands-on experience in the planning and execution of events during the Festival and Independence celebrations.

“In addition to providing gainful employment for these youngsters over the six-month period, they will be better equipped for further employment within the creative and cultural industry as events production assistants (EPAs). We allocated $8 million towards this programme which will run to October 2014, following which there will be a review with a view of making it an annual programme,” Hanna said.