The number of young people gaining personal and professional development under government programmes is increasing, according to Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Floyd Green.

In his contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Green pointed to the Graduate Work Experience Programme (GWEP), which it said would place 600 youth this year, up from 503 last year, and 300 in 2015.

GWEP, which is implemented under the National Youth Service (NYS), provides work experience for tertiary graduates up to 24 years old with an associate or bachelor’s.

Green also noted that the number of people in the Youth Empowerment Programme has increased by more than 100 per cent. The initiative caters to people with mild intellectual disabilities, providing six months of work experience, coaching, personal development training as well as exposure to career options.

In March, some 162 people were placed on the programme, and “they are now participating in a three-week camp with our job coaches”, Green told the House.

“I urge more companies to open their doors to employ our youth with disabilities. We are happy that 21 of those trained last year have secured permanent employment, but we want to increase that number,” he said.

In terms of the NYS’ Summer Employment Programme, the State Minister pointed out that of the 800 youth to be employed this year, 200 are “unattached” and 400 are living with disabilities.