Young people targetted for training by ZHTF

Forty young people are participating in a rapid skills training programme in the field of computer networking and cell phone repair.

This was disclosed by Minister of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry and Information, Camillo Gonsalves at the official launch of the Adopt a Classroom Programme held recently at the Foreign Affairs conference room.{{more}}

Minister Gonsalves said there was an effort to try to select participants from areas where there are higher incidences of poverty.

The young people will be trained then placed on attachment with local business companies.

He further added that while the youngsters were doing their apprenticeship programme they would be paid a stipend by the Zero Hunger Trust Fund.

“And there are going to be a number of targeted approaches; the prime minister had said we have to target the issue of hunger and poverty in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) not do some general things and hope the money trickles down to the right people, but we are going to try and target where we find the problems and come to the problems with solutions.”

He expressed his excitement with the start of the programme and also mentioned that international countries are also excited with what government is doing with Zero Hunger programme.

He listed the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as one of the international organisations which also expressed interest in the Zero Hunger Trust Fund and wants to be a part of it.

“We are becoming a shining example for the rest of the region on how to tackle in a targeted way the issue of poverty and hunger,” he stated.(API)