Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP)
Launched in 2008 with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) equipped vulnerable youth with the technical, vocational, and life skills needed to develop sustainable livelihoods. This program targeted school leavers, ages 17 to 25, with particular attention given to young males, who are currently unemployed, under-employed, lack the skills to participate in an increasingly service-oriented economy, or are unable to successfully launch and sustain small business enterprises. Participants receive job training and placement services and are supported in serving as positive agents of change in their communities.
Outcomes
By the end of the project in 2013, across all of the participating Caribbean countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia):
- 2,200 young people will have gained appropriate training that responds to the needs of selected high-growth industries such as tourism, music, entertainment, and arts and culture.
- At least 40% of youth will be placed in quality jobs or in their own business start-ups.
- 50% of participants who have not completed secondary school at baseline will be enrolled in an education training program or will have gained additional schooling credentials at the time of follow up.
- 90% of employers will report satisfaction with their entry-level employees.
- Partners will have strengthened their organizational capacity.
- A sustainable network of stakeholders from private and public sectors will be created.
Donor partners:
