New HEART initiative to target unemployed youth for skills training

By Nakinskie Robinson   

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that this year, the HEART/NSTA Trust will introduce the Community Action for Rewarding Engagement (CARE) Initiative which will target unemployed youth not enrolled in a training programme.

 

He says HEART will be proactive in finding disenfranchised people in an effort to boost the country's work force. 

 

"Each member of Parliament will be asked to identify 30 young persons from their constituency using predetermined selection parameters set by the programme. A specialised team in HEART will go to their houses or meet them on the corner, if necessary, to engage with them and enrol them into the programme that will enhance their employability," he disclosed.  

 

He said every student enrolled in HEART under the initiative will receive a monthly grant of $15,000 to offset transportation costs to the HEART institution in which they are enrolled.

 

Trainees enrolled under the CARE Initiative will also receive another $13,000 per week for the duration of their training.