More than 700 young Barbadians have benefitted from the King’s Trust International Team Programme since its introduction in 2016, with organisers reporting a consistent success rate of over 80 per cent in helping participants transition into work, training, or further education.
The transformative 12-week initiative, aimed at youth aged 16 to 25, equips participants with essential life skills, work experience, and opportunities to engage in meaningful community service. It is delivered in Barbados through a partnership between The Barbados Police Service and King’s Trust International – originally launched in 1976 by then Prince Charles, now King Charles III.
On Tuesday, during a team-building exercise for the current cohort at Brandon’s Beach, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service and delivery partner manager, Inspector Roger Babb, explained that the programme has had a very positive impact on participants.
Each cycle of the programme typically ends with a community project, , which is conducted in partnership with organisations like the Salvation Army, followed by a two-week work placement within private companies or government departments.
“What I have gathered through the years is that when they work well, the establishment usually calls them back and gives them full-time employment,” Inspector Babb said. “I believe that in terms of our positive outcomes, we could be somewhere in the region of 80 to 84 per cent. We have not dropped lower than 80…. That is a good sign that we have been reaching some young persons.”
Employers across the island have become regular supporters, with many requesting placements each year. Word of the programme’s success has also led to increased interest from new employers, he added.
“We have had some very good employers out there that partner with us, and every year consistently they collaborate with us and give us the opportunity to place persons at the departments. More often than not, as the word spreads, you get more people coming in and saying ‘we want to be part of it’, which is very good,” the crime prevention officer noted.
Tuesday’s exercise formed part of the residential component of the programme, where participants engaged in life-saving drills and amphibious team-building activities.
Inspector Babb said the overall aim is to guide participants towards constructive paths.
“This is important because we at the Community Relations Department believe that if we reach out to the young persons in our society and help them develop themselves to the point where they can find employment and probably go back to school, or become an apprentice or volunteer, . . . that is a step in the right direction to help them avoid being involved in crime.” (SB)
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