YOUNG people in North Central St Catherine now have an opportunity to develop their business skills through a recently launched entrepreneurship grant programme.

Minister with responsibility for sports, Natalie Neita Headley, who made the announcement in her contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, said the North Central Community Youth Entrepreneur and Education Programme will serve as a catalyst of change for the youth.

The programme, she said, aims to promote entrepreneurship, lessen unemployment among young people; create enrichment opportunities; and give those involved the capacity for economic and sustainable development.

“We are all painfully aware of the enduring need for investment in the creation of social service and social safety nets throughout our various communities,” she said, pointing out that she has undertaken a number of projects aimed at giving those most in need the chance for a better life in her constituency.

The programme was recently launched, in partnership with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, the Young Entrepreneur Association, the HEART Trust/NTA, and the Social Development Commission.

“I wish to express my profound gratitude to all the partners involved in advancing this very important project. In this regard, I wish to offer special thanks to Custos Steadman Fuller for donating lands to be utilised for agriculture-related purposes,” she stated.

In the meantime, Neita Headley welcomed the partnership forged with the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining to create Internet computer access-point sites across the constituency in order to assist young entrepreneurs in the development of small businesses, and to provide students with access to the Internet.

Through this partnership, computer access-point sites are planned for four communities in her constituency, with one already completed in Commodore and three others soon to be rolled out in Cedar Valley, Harkers Hall and West Prospect, she said.

“Computer and other technologies have revolutionised the way we live and do business. Persons without access to the Internet, for example, will lose ground to their more-informed competitors,” said Neita Headley, pointing out that the service will provide more opportunities for young people.