By Celestine Chacon | January 10, 2025
The government’s 4.2 billion-dollar investment in the Community Service Officers (CSO) programme, now known as the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP), has yielded impressive results in terms of skills development and employment opportunities for youth across Guyana.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, presented the year-in-review report, emphasizing that the programme has empowered more than 2,759 indigenous youths.
She highlighted that this initiative represents a significant investment in Indigenous human capital, with the government supporting not just financial reimbursement for community service, but also fostering long-term growth and opportunities for the young people of the country.
The programme offers a stipend of $40,000 for a 16-day work period, targeting youths aged 17 to 35.
In 2024 alone, the programme provided training to approximately 120 individuals in tractor driving and maintenance, 124 in garment construction, 40 in business proposal writing, and 62 in tourism.
This initiative aims to provide the skills necessary for success in these industries, further enhancing the employability of participants.
Minister Sukhai also pointed out that the government’s decision to remove tuition fees at the University of Guyana and government technical institutes has opened doors for Indigenous youth to pursue academic and technical education.
She emphasized that the onus is now on the young people to take advantage of these opportunities and create a better future for themselves.
The YEAP continues to be a key vehicle for the development and empowerment of youth across Guyana, offering them both practical skills and academic pathways to succeed.