Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited is exploring opportunities to provide valuable work attachments for participants in the National Summer Camp Programme, it said on Wednesday, signalling growing support for youth skills development on the island.
At a media launch of the National Summer Camp Programme in which over 5 000 students will participate, Mark Harding, manager of Republic Bank Barbados, said that while final details are still being developed, the bank is committed to investing in the island’s youth.
“We can’t confirm the numbers, but it’s something we’re working on,” he said.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith welcomed the possibility of job placements for older camp participants.
“We can make recommendations based on what is happening with that particular demographic in terms of job attachments and things like that,” he said. “I would love for that to happen.”
Manager of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES), Ryan Moseley, also highlighted how his division is creating pathways for young people to gain skills and experience.
The programme is committed to improving and ensuring that the camp is fit for purpose and to give youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17 a grounding in business, he said.
“The intention is not to make everyone an entrepreneur, but we want to create that love within our young persons for self-employment and developing general business practices,” Moseley added. “I am extremely pleased and proud to have Republic Bank this year as one of our strategic partners with YES in this programme. They have graciously consented to be the strategic partner, and as part of that mandate, they will also be offering some of their personal professional team to do specialised workshops within the camp.”
He revealed that students will be exposed firsthand to saving and budgeting.
“We want to inculcate these skills within our young people at a very young age. We want to ensure that when they leave our camp, they are equipped with the skills necessary,” Moseley said. “So this is an extremely good partnership.”
Meantime, the YES manager shared that the scheme has been expanding its reach to ensure training is inclusive for all. He pointed out that for the first time, the YES entrepreneur development training programme included a participant with a hearing impairment.
YES also partners with the National Disabilities Unit and operates a specialised camp within the National Summer Camp Programme that deals specifically with differently abled people.
The 2025 summer camp programme officially kicks off next Monday.
Minister Griffith said the camps are part of a wider effort to keep young people engaged and safe during the long vacation.
One highlight this year is the involvement of older teens.
“One of our special camps is Camp Employing Minds, and this is an innovative youth development initiative designed to equip young people ages 15 to 17 years with essential skills and knowledge to prepare them for the world of work,” explained Ryan Toppin of the National Sports Council.
This camp will run at the Harold Nurse Community Centre at Friendship from July 28 to August 22 and will include support from the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service and CIBC First Caribbean.
New activities are being added too. Toppin said this year the programme is offering 23 disciplines, up from 19 last year, with additions like cheerleading and gymnastics.
Noting that his ministry is concerned about the violence and crime in the country, Griffith gave the assurance that security will be provided at the camps to ensure the safety of the young people at all 53 locations.
He also expressed his gratitude to the corporate partners who have come on board, such as CIBC Caribbean, Affinity Plus, Republic Bank, The Prince Goodwin Formosa Foundation, and Dance for Life.
Griffith said this growing network of corporate support is vital for the programme’s future.
“From the time I came, I was asking the private sector to be involved in the process of developing our young people. This morning is a clear example that the private sector is moving in that direction,” he said.
This year, the ministry has also teamed up with UNICEF for an anti-violence initiative called Voices of Peace, Actions of Change. It will run at 35 locations and combine track and field with emotional regulation sessions for children aged seven to 15.
Griffith said the programme uses sports and life skills education as effective tools for teaching conflict resolution, teamwork, discipline, and emotional self-control.
Andrea Titus, principal youth development officer, explained that the sessions will empower the youth and teach them how to make wise decisions. (LG)
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