2015 sees the Youth@Work program starting off full speed, with the first week beginning with registrations for the next phase of interns for the program, phase 6, with an orientation program, Thursday.
Registration for the next phase started last week and has concluded on Wednesday with more than 180 youth registered and entered into the Youth@Work database as interns for phase 6.
These are youth who have successfully completed their month of community service last year as part of the programs selection criteria.
Coordinator Sandra Bartlett said it was an exciting moment for these youth who would be provided with essential training and work experience.
“This experience will help participants learn important skills they need to secure permanent employment,” she said.
“We know these young people are motivated and willing to work hard. They completed 3 months of community service last year as part of the program’s selection criteria.
“The next step is about introducing them to working life and allowing them to see what it takes to be a good employee.”
Orientation for the phase 6 interns took place at the National Auditorium where the interns were briefed about the program; what they should expect and what is expected of them and also they will be introduced to the Youth@Work team so that they know who can help them in what situation.
The orientation will be followed by a 3 week training schedule starting next week that prepares the interns before they enter the workforce.
Training will include financial literacy training; which sees the youth learning how to be effective bankers by making full use of any commercial banking institutions facilities and service, CV writing classes; which shows them how to write CVs effectively plus other training.
Job placements will follow marking the start of a 20 week long internship in both the public and the private sector, where interns are individually hand-picked and placed according to their field of interest.
SPC Manager Mia Rimon commented on the runaway success of the Youth@Work programme since its inception in 2012:
“We have seen some promising results from the first five phases of the Youth@Work internship program.
“Independent studies have shown almost half of the youth we have worked with managed to find employment following their internship.
“This year we are excited to improve on this and help more youth achieve their dreams.”
With other programs lined up for the Youth@Work team for this year such as the Youth Markets; the first one in March, Business classes and a second phase for this year, phase 7, it looks like a very busy and fun filled year for the Youth@Work team.
Youth@Work is an implementation of SPC; the Ministry of National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation; the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration; and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs. Youth@Work is an initiative to tackle youth unemployment in the Solomon Islands and is funded by Australian Aid.
