The Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) is committed to doing what is needed for young Barbadians to be successful in their businesses.
This was affirmed by Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, at the launch of training for the new cohort of entrepreneurs entering the YES programme, on Saturday at the Ministry’s headquarters, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.
Minister Griffith stated: “We will continue to hold your hand and ensure that all the necessary things that you would need to be a successful business person is in place through the YES programme.”
He encouraged the entrepreneurs to work towards growing their businesses. “You’re starting a journey with us … that will last more than a couple of months. You’re starting a journey that, in five years’ time, you yourself would want to move to becoming an employer, that you’re able to grow your business to the extent in this country that you can provide some of that same employment,” he stated.
The entrepreneurs were also informed that the certification they would receive after completion of the programme would be “weighted”, as YES was engaged in talks with The University of the West Indies.
Mr. Griffith also reminded the participants that the onus was on them to take the knowledge and pay attention, adding: “It is your business, if you personalise it at that level, the only thing that can happen is it will grow. You’re in good hands with YES.”
Frozen Food Owner and participant in the YES programme, Aaron Yearwood, noted that many of his peers guided him to seek out the assistance of YES, and his officer Ms. Claire Inniss was an asset in his journey to bringing his company to the public.
He said he started his company “to escape poverty and to inspire the youth in the community”.