The recently launched Youth Economy Agency, more commonly known as (YEA), has recorded its first week in office with eleven (11) loans and grants given to young entrepreneurs across
the island. The agency, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat also took the opportunity to launch an all-new Digital Skills Training project targeting the nation’s youth. The recent launch of the Youth Economy Agency has created quite a buzz in the public and private sector: stakeholders got to see the vision of YEA materialize right before their eyes and young entrepreneurs were now one step closer to realizing their dreams of successfully owning and running their own businesses. The agency disbursed a total of eleven (11) grants and loans in the very same night of its launch, in addition to unveiling its all-new Digital Skills Training project in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, based in the UK. Mr. Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy Development – Commonwealth Secretariat revealed that the Commonwealth Youth Program has decided to invest in 10,000 scholarships featuring digital skills training across its member states in celebration of its 50th anniversary and saint Lucia is the first beneficiary of this initiative. Over 200 of these scholarships will go to St. Lucian youth. Director of YEA, Khrystal Riviere broke down the various areas of interest and priority for persons applying which includes big data certification, business analytics with excel, blockchain development, introduction to artificial intelligence, data science with python and JavaScript certification just to name a few. Officials from the Youth Economy Agency say that the new digital skills training project coupled with these initial loans and grants are not just testament to the commitment of the agency but an optimistic sign of what is to come for those who have yet to apply and start the process. The agency is also grateful for the support from the Commonwealth Secretariat and for being a pivotal part of making this year of youth a success across the commonwealth