Approximately 100 youth participated in training programmes in Grenada under the CARICOM Youth Skills Development Project. The Grenada component of the programme targeted trainees in Cruise Line Services in three cohorts during 2015 – 2016. The programme covered the following three units from the Cruise Line Services Level 2 occupational standard: Provide Basic First Aid, Deliver Quality Customer Service, and Maintain a Safe and Secure Working Environment.
The first cohort was trained in 2015 while cohorts 2 and 3 were engaged during 2016. A total of one hundred and two trainees were enrolled over the life of the project. 64% of the trainees gained employment upon completion of the programme.
The project is a part of a wider regional program sponsored by Department for International Development (DFID) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The aim of the project was the provision of training to unemployed youth to increase their ability to access TVET training and employment opportunities.
Across the region, the first cohort of training started between August and October 2015 in five countries (Jamaica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and St. Vincent). In Dominica the startup of training was delayed due to the devastation caused by tropical storm Erika. Programmes were delivered in several areas including ICT, Construction, Horticulture, Boat Maintenance, Cruise Line Services, Plumbing, Welding, Electrical Installation and Food Preparation.
Most partnerships achieved 1:3 male to female gender ratio of participants but Grenada was commended as the first country to achieve 1:1 gender ratio. The project was completed on time and within budget with the OECS registering the strongest employment results for trainees in the region.
