Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2013 (SKNIS): The People Employment Programme (PEP) has currently attracted over 300 participants since its launch in December 2012.
Geoffrey Hanley, Project Manager for PEP, stated that the programme has been providing employment opportunities for qualified and nonqualified nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis especially young persons.
It’s an opportunity where young persons in particular would be empowered to enhance their skills in various areas,” Mr. Hanley noted. “The overall objective is to empower participants by providing training to assist in the development of essential human resource ability and entrepreneurial skills which will facilitate participants’ smooth integration into the workforce.”
Mr. Hanley reported that young persons form the majority of participants.
The numbers so far are a relatively good representation of the overall objective of trying to assist with unemployment especially amongst our young people,” he noted. I can guarantee that…we will be able to increase on that number.”
He added that he is confident that PEP will ensure the creation of the 1000 jobs promised since its launch. He also added that these jobs are not only for young persons, older persons are encouraged to participate as well.
The different projects of PEP include Engaging Qualified Interns Project (EQUIP); National Infrastructure Improvement Project (NIIP); Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (STED); Agri-Enterprise Training and Management Project (ATM); Women in Construction Trades (WICT) and Women is Small Enterprise (WISE) which was launched on February 15.
Interested persons can sign up at the Labour Department, the Youth Empowerment Ministry, the National Skills Training Office at Greenlands and the PEP Secretariat in Dorset. Persons can also apply online at www.sknpep.com.