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The Leadership Intervention Unit has partnered up with the Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute to assist young men and women with training in trades.
Last march, a little less than a hundred persons graduated from the program. And today, there were 69 new graduates who walked away with skills such as cosmetology, catering, electrical training, and more. The Minister of Home Affairs said it's one of the initiatives that makes all the work worth it. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"I believe today, we have 69 graduates. The last cohort that we had, we had close to 90, I believe. And so it's a very proud, heart-warming, uplifting moment for me as minister. It's truly one of those things where it makes life as a minister so rewarding to be a part of a process like this, knowing the struggles that these young men and women have been through, knowing that they're getting this opportunity in life and knowing that they appreciate it so much."
"In terms of the last cohort, I know a lot of them have moved on to private jobs. They've gotten jobs in the private sector and with the government as well. And so it truly is transforming the lives of these individuals. And again, very rewarding. We did last year, give, I think it's 1500 dollars in the tools that they need."
"So the ministry purchases the tools and they receive the tools to carry out their duties."
Reporter:
"You said last time was 90 and the same with 69. Do you feel it now that the number will continue to drop or have a lot of people still been showing interest in the program?"
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"No, a lot of them have been showing interest. I believe, moving forward though, because what we're getting is a lot of individuals saying they would like an opportunity as well. They might not necessarily be coming from the most marginalized areas or at risk youth per say. But they're saying, you know what, I would want an opportunity. And so we're looking at 60%, 40% split, 40% coming from individuals who may not have had run ins with the law, that sort of thing, who want to have an opportunity like this. And I think that also is very important."
Dominuque Norales, Chairperson, LIU
"To see them reach this milestone. We've been working with them for quite some time. And so I'm super grateful to the Tubal VoTech Institute for partnering with us to get this done. So it's a really fulfilling day for me. I think everyone deserves access to education and some of our participants and beneficiaries don't typically get that opportunity because of whatever reason."
"And so us offering that space for them I think is super important for every Belizean, and especially people from the communities that we serve. We are open to anything that is needed because of course the world of work is expanding. We have a huge move toward electronic vehicles and all of that. So we want to ensure that people have the skills that are relevant for the time."
"And so of course we are open to expanding our offers."
