Youth Division Expands Skills Training, Targets Tech, Trades, and Innovation
The Youth Development Division (YDD) proudly reflects on its impactful programming, expanded outreach and a commitment to empowering the young people of Dominica.
Operating under the conviction that “When we empower our youth, we empower our nation,” the Division successfully executed a range of initiatives that reached hundreds of youth across the island. Through strategic programming such as the Youth Skills Training Programme (YSTP), Leadership and Counseling Programs, Dominica Youth Business Trust and 4-H development initiatives, the Division has equipped young Dominicans with critical technical and life skills.
In this fiscal year, the Division launched a suite of short courses in key areas including computer literacy, small electronics repair, sewing, graphic design (Canva and Photoshop) and QuickBooks accounting. More than 78 youth benefited directly, gaining both practical and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, mental health awareness and workplace readiness.
Youth across Dominica engaged in these programmes, as the Division deepened its presence in under-served communities. Listening to the voices of youth was central to programme development; feedback from the national youth survey informed the 2025–2026 Training Plan. This forward-looking plan aligns training with national priorities like the international airport, port expansion and the geothermal energy sector.
Looking ahead, the Youth Development Division is expanding its plans for the upcoming year to include:
- Rolling out full-time (4–6 month) technical training programmes in trades, hospitality, agriculture, IT, AI and digital entrepreneurship.
- Deepening community-based learning to increase access to skills training in all districts.
- Strengthening partnerships with private sector and government entities to align training with employment pipelines.
- Driving innovation through the Dominica Youth Business Trust, to turn youth into job creators.
- Introducing online and asynchronous learning options to accommodate different learning styles, schedules, and geographic challenges, ensuring training is accessible to all, even those in remote areas
- Partnering with relevant bodies to provide National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) certifications for select programmes, ensuring youth graduates receive recognized credentials that enhance their employability regionally and beyond.
Upholding a commitment to lifelong learning, with a strong message that youth skills development must never stop, the Division will continue to adapt and expand offerings in line with global trends, emerging sectors and youth feedback. The Youth Development Division remains committed to ensuring no young person is left behind.
This article is copyright © 2025 DOM767
