Grenada

Grenada has a number of initiatives in place that attempt to guide the nation through the structural adjustment policies it has been undergoing. Four projects will be briefly described below, these are I) the Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Project, ii) Grenada Planned Parenthood Association's Youth Center Extension Project iii) New Life Organization and iv) The Grenada Development Bank Small Enterprise Development Unit's Seed Project at the T.A. Marryshow Community College.

The Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce has realized that the graduates of JA in Grenada lacked the skills or experience needed to be employed or self-employed. The initiation of the Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Project therefore was to provide young people with the training necessary to take the initial decision to become self-employed and then provide the guidance required for selecting a specific field of work.

The objectives of this project include the enhancement of personal development, the training of business oriented fields and the assistance of financing projects for young entrepreneurs. The target group includes persons who previously received training through JA and other young unemployed youths. The projects length is seven weeks and is divided in two phases. On-going evaluations are conducted which determine the preference and suitability of participants for various fields of self employment. In addition business plans are prepared and students with similar interests are urged to join and form companies together. Finally, the Chamber maintains close ties with the micro sector funding agencies and helps young entrepreneurs in obtaining financing.

The second project described is the Planned Parenthood Youth Center. This project runs for 8 months and is geared to help enable the teen parents and youth who are no longer attending school to continue their education and receive basic job skills training in a supportive environment with peers. In this project, there are approximately 15 young mothers who receive daily instruction in math, English, principles of business and other skills such as straw weaving and doll making. Basic lessons in self-esteem, motivation and personal development are also given. Upon graduation, these ladies have the opportunity to do a number of things such as continuing their education, finding an adequate job or becoming self-employed.

The third project is the New Life Organization which is a private vocational skills training center for youths who have dropped out of the formal school system. The objective is to help youths achieve a sense of self-worth and to become self-reliant. This organization enrolls 240 students each year and gives instruction in academics and in the following: Masonry, woodwork, electrical wiring, plumbing, home aide, maintenance, hospitality, fishing, sewing and child care. Upon completion of the program, students are assisted in finding employment on their own or with local business persons. In return, they are asked to give a small portion of their earnings to the institution.

The Small Enterprise Development Unit, under the guidance of the Grenada Development Bank, has undertaken a number of projects specifically for young people. One such project is the SEED project which is designed to build a comprehensive module by module approach into small business development. It takes students through a course of study which includes lectures, seminars, workshops and assignments, supplemented by visits to small businesses around the country. After the four month program, participants are put on a work study assignment with an approved institution after which time they may be able to either create their own job opportunities or become employed at one of the business places to which they were attached.