Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center (GARD Center)

Unemployment amongst youth in the nation between 20-25 years is 20%. This is a high rate, as for Antigua & Barbuda is the 59th highest youth unemployment rate of 129 countries. 21% of the youth between 15-24 years live in households below the poverty line $US 2,366 per annum. 22% have only primary school education. This is the face of the youth we are working, low self esteem, low literacy levels, and poor employ-ability. Set against this environment, young people in Antigua and Barbuda face many challenges and according to our National Youth Policy, the nation’s youth have very little access to school-to-work transition programs, career and life planning training. On-the-job training opportunities, market-driven educational and skills training. In addition, and based on the CARICOM study the GARD Center’s personal interviews, with employers and as corroborated by USAID Youth Workforce Assessment, the youth employees have poor reading, writing, comprehension and communications skills and work ethics. During the interviews, employers stated that they would rather accept a person with good work ethics and attitude and limited technical skills than someone with just technical skills. The GARD Center is filling a serious gap that exists with those who are out of school and have little to get jobs or in some cases funds to further their education. The GARD Center provides a wide variety of market led technical vocational training courses and entrepreneurial training with cross-cutting sessions in IT, remedial math and English and life skills with spiritual development. As the impact of the global economic crisis still continues to be felt, the vulnerable segments of society, which includes young people, will continue to be most affected, and will see their socio-economic situation deteriorate. It is within this context that the GARD Center and its partners, are supporting youth-at-risk in becoming more marketable and competitive for this global world of work.