Nevis Premier – Joseph Parry
Charlestown, Nevis
November 15, 2012
A week-long workshop (Nov. 12-Nov.17) organized by the Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) Department of Youth Services for young businesspersons opened Monday at the Cotton Ground Community Center. Twenty-three (23) potential young businesspersons are taking part in the workshop, Creativity for Employment and Business Opportunity (CEBO).
Premier and Minister responsible for Youth Affairs, the Hon. Joseph Parry gave the feature address, and stated that it is important for young people to receive training so that they can support themselves.
“I am pleased to see that funding agents and giving grants are not the sole entity of the day. Former Deputy Premier, Mr. Hensley Daniel says it is better to teach a man to fish than to simply give him a fish,” the Premier said.
“It is important that young people become empowered to engage and create entrepreneurial interest for the benefit of their family, their community and themselves,” the Premier impressed on the young participants.
“The Nevis Reformation Party-led Administration has worked diligently to assist small businesspersons, and we especially want to engage young businesspersons,” said the Premier.
Youth Services Coordinator, Mrs. Diana Pemberton and Mr. Pierre Liburd, Senior Youth Officer in St. Kitts gave an overview of the CEBO workshop, stating that it is aimed at young people who have entrepreneurial interest, who are out of school and between the ages of sixteen and twenty-nine (16 and 29.)
CEBO, can be used by governments, private sector and all other agencies as a training guide to strengthen their business technique.
Specifically, the workshop will equip participants with the knowledge, skills, values and tools needed to create and run successful businesses, that contribute to the goals of development.
The CEBO module is success-oriented, demonstrating that young people can be successful in business.
In addition, the program is regionally-grounded, so linkages can be made with fellow participants. Social and entrepreneurial development are covered, the content and strategies are flexible, and “all participants receive a copy of a training manual for further learning on completion of the workshop”, Liburd explained.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services, Mr. Alstead Pemberton gave brief remarks during the ceremony, and commended the Youth Services Department for bringing the workshop to Nevis, and thanked the young people for participating.
“I want to encourage all of you to gain the necessary knowledge to become successful businesspersons, and carve a niche for yourself.’ said Mr. Pemberton.