Belize

The most recent initiative developed by the government of Belize in collaboration with the Organization of American States is the Youth Start Project Proposal. This initiative, once functional will focus on and benefit the following vulnerable groups: unemployed, out of school, females, marginalized males, youth coming out of rehabilitation, physically challenged, or living in remote rural areas.

YSP is a coordinated, comprehensive program designed, to develop the skills, attitude and resources needed to become successful entrepreneurs or to succeed in the labor market. This project will provide a viable mechanism to mobilize and channel local and international financial resources in addition to enhancing program coordination among agencies addressing multi-sectoral poverty problems and involved in youth development.

It is envisaged that the YSP will operate two separate funds to be manned by a Board of Directors. A YSP Loan Fund and a Grant Fund. The YSP Grant Fund will manage funds to be accessed by approved credit intermediaries for on-lending to young entrepreneurs, while the YSP Grant Fund will be made available to supporting institutions for organizational strengthening. The board is to comprise the private sector, non-governmental, and governmental organizations. Secretariat functions will be undertaken by the Department of Youth Development under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth Development, Human Resources and Women's Affairs.

Other programs that are operational throughout Belize are the Center for Employment Training (CET), The Belize Youth Development Center (BYDC), the National Apprenticeship Program and the Labor Skills Bank and Training Program.

The CET, within the Ministry of Education, provides job-entry level vocational training courses of up to 3 years duration in six month modules to trainees 15 years and older. CET has the capacity to train 200 students and offers an additional 100 spaces for vocational technical high school students through a co-operative program in the afternoon. CET also offers vocational training in areas such as construction trades, masonry, drafting carpentry welding and plumbing.

The BYDC is a government sponsored residential center that offers it's services to 35 male teenagers. The boys are recruited through the district officers with the Youth Development Department every September with the approval of the Center Supervisor. The program lasts nine months, of which the last three months is spent doing on-the-job training in the community. The center provides vocational skills training, self development skills and basic math, English and reading skills.

The National Apprenticeship program is implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Labor. The rise of youth anti-social activities and high school drop-out rates, influenced the re-introduction of the Apprenticeship program. The program centers around young people between the ages of 14-18 years. Successful applicants are attached to a specific business, tradesman or artisan who has been approved as a trainer by a district committee and are exempted from regular employee/employer responsibilities. Trainees are supervised by a labor officer within the district and paid a stipend by the government department. The duration of the training is dependent on the trainees progress and trade. Once the youth complete training, they can apply for funding from a half loan - half grant scheme for start-up purposes.

The Labor Skills Bank and Training program seeks to implement a labor market information system to assist the unemployed to readily attain employment. This database registers employers and vacancies as they occur and a vacancy/skill match is provided showing details of suitable workers. Workers are likewise to go through the job seeking skills with a counselor/trainer or to use a training manual and other materials available.