Youth Employment Initiatives to Expand Training Opportunities

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew says the government is preparing additional measures to strengthen youth employment by expanding targeted training and certification opportunities aimed at helping young people transition into meaningful work.

Speaking during the Prime Minister’s Roundtable on 17th February, 2026, Dr. Drew acknowledged that although overall employment levels remain strong, young people remain more vulnerable to unemployment, particularly where experience is required.

“Youth have the highest risk of being unemployed… sometimes people say you don’t have any experience. And I always ask, how do they get the experience if you don’t hire them?” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that his Labour administration has been investing in practical skills training aligned with emerging industries and labour market needs.

“We have entered into training our youth in multiple areas — cyber security, technicians in the solar space,” he explained, adding that the intention is to ensure young people are equipped to take up available opportunities.

He also pointed out that skills gaps remain a challenge for employers.

“Many times we can’t even fill a lot of the positions that are available, especially in the private sector,” Dr. Drew said, suggesting that better alignment between training and market demand is essential.

In response to concerns about youth employment specifically, Dr. Drew disclosed that a new national initiative is being developed to consolidate and strengthen youth-focused programmes.

“We are going to bring all of the programmes geared towards youth under one umbrella… this is going to deal directly with youth to make sure the issue of youth employment is addressed separately,” he stated.

Dr. Drew said certification remains a key pillar of the strategy.

“You can go there and get certified as a carpenter, as a plumber, as an electrician — and that makes you more marketable in terms of being able to get a job,” he added.

He said the broader objective is to ensure young citizens are equipped with practical, recognised qualifications that allow them to compete locally and across the region.