YOUBET programme comes to a close

Entrepreneurship is the way forward if Vincentians are to be successful.

Paul Morris, Youth Entrepreneur of the Year 2008, gave this advice to 61 graduates at the closing of the YOUBET summer programme, which took place at The Knowledge Institute, Kingstown.{{more}}

“Entrepreneurship is not for those afraid to lose money…it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s for those who want to make a difference,” Morris said.

He emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship and how it can benefit the entrepreneur and the wider community. He also challenged his young audience to become this country’s next generation of entrepreneurs, and help build St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The summer programme, which was sponsored by the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) Inc.’s Business Gateway Project, gave participants a taste of future careers in design, agri-business and the making of jewelry. They were taken on field trips where they visited places of business that reflected what they were taught.

Delivering brief remarks, Jacintha James, CED’S Manager of Training & Education, congratulated the participants on completing the programme, and encouraged them to bring their ideas to the CED for financial assistance and guidance.

James said: “We’re ensuring that our next generation of entrepreneurs are secure.”

Three participants Janeel Browne, Keivi Howard and Shameika Chance, on behalf of their colleagues spoke positively about the summer programme.

The participants also received awards for challenges set to them throughout the programme.

Jahnell Ryan and Nelron Toby won Best Debating Team; Joesina Fraser, Most Innovative/Creative Jewelry Maker; and Zeni Peters and Dimitri Barnwell, Best Creative Agri-Business Idea.Nikita Phillips won two awards for Best Design and Best Outfit.

The Nature’s Bakery group won Best Business Plan, while Jahnell Ryan, Joesina Fraser and Nikita Phillips, won the Most Enthusiastic Participants awards in the agri-business, jewelry making and fashion designing sections, respectively.

Facilitator Patrice Reddock awarded Nikita Phillips, Janeel Browne and Desarie Pompey with six-week attachments to work alongside her in fashion designing.

LIME’s representative Elroy Edwards dispersed vouchers to the participants for a package deal with the company. LIME was a minor sponsor of this year’s programme.