Dear Editor,
I read an article published in the Observer on July 30, 2015, where the Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness said that, if his party returns to power, his Government will establish two new programmes: the National Apprenticeship Programme and the National Service Programme.
I know there is a saying that goes, 'there are no new ideas under the sun', but doesn't the Ministry of Youth and Culture, through the National Youth Service (NYS), already have several existing programmes of a similar nature.
High school graduates are currently getting the exposure, experience, and an introduction to the world of work through the NYS Summer Programme. Thousands of students look forward to such an opportunity each year as it allows them to develop the necessary skills that will be needed when they enter the job world.
Furthermore, in case Holness has forgotten, or is unaware, tertiary level graduates are able to get valuable work experience through the National Youth Service Graduate Work Experience Programme. So there is no need for him to reinvent the wheel with those 'new' programmes that he mentioned as young people are already exposed to programmes that provide them with the platform to get on-the-job training that counts as experience.
Importantly, these prgrammes provide experience and also occupy the time of the youth, thus, there is no need for Holness to be concerned that the 'devil will find time for idle hands'. Secondary and tertiary school leavers have numerous opportunities to obtain meaningful experiences that will help to guide their careers.
Next time, do your homework!
Monique Brown
sninasimone@yahoo.com
Come again, Holness
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I read an article published in the Observer on July 30, 2015, where the Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness said that, if his party returns to power, his Government will establish two new programmes: the National Apprenticeship Programme and the National Service Programme.
I know there is a saying that goes, 'there are no new ideas under the sun', but doesn't the Ministry of Youth and Culture, through the National Youth Service (NYS), already have several existing programmes of a similar nature.
High school graduates are currently getting the exposure, experience, and an introduction to the world of work through the NYS Summer Programme. Thousands of students look forward to such an opportunity each year as it allows them to develop the necessary skills that will be needed when they enter the job world.
Furthermore, in case Holness has forgotten, or is unaware, tertiary level graduates are able to get valuable work experience through the National Youth Service Graduate Work Experience Programme. So there is no need for him to reinvent the wheel with those 'new' programmes that he mentioned as young people are already exposed to programmes that provide them with the platform to get on-the-job training that counts as experience.
Importantly, these prgrammes provide experience and also occupy the time of the youth, thus, there is no need for Holness to be concerned that the 'devil will find time for idle hands'. Secondary and tertiary school leavers have numerous opportunities to obtain meaningful experiences that will help to guide their careers.
Next time, do your homework!
Monique Brown
sninasimone@yahoo.com
Come again, Holness
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