Clarendon Municipal Corporation pushes youth entrepreneurship

Last Wednesday, more than 20 young persons from Clarendon received grants of $100,00 towards their small business ventures from the Clarendon Municipal Corporation (CMC).

Now in its third year, the Clarendon Youth In Business programme has seen more than 41 young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 receiving valuable training, grooming and mentorship from local partners Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), the HEART Trust, Planning Institute Of Jamaica (through its Community Renewal Programme), and other stakeholders.

CEO of the CMC, Rowhan Blake, said that among the major issues youth in the parish are facing are low levels of training and inadequate access to capital.

It was for those reasons why the initiative was conceptualised in 2016 and guided by the Local Economic Development Plan.

In his address to the young entrepreneurs - which included barbers, chefs, and fashion designers - State Minister for Industry Floyd Green commended the CMC for having such a programme which connects with, and supports, young people by developing innovative solutions of economic growth.

"The Youth In Business programme is helping young people to create their own opportunity and to succeed in employment," he said.

Green said the programme is important, as he points out that the only way to reduce unemployment is to create the next generation of entrepreneurs.

He told this year's cohorts that they should believe in their dreams, or no one else would.

"Opportunities are out there, but you have to take a serious approach. The first step to success is believing in what you are doing, believe and ensure you have a vision for it," he said.

Green also urged them to make use of technology, and reminded them of the innovativeness of social media and how excellent a marketplace it can be.