Unemployed looking for jobs online

At the end of last year, the unemployment rate, according to government statistics, stood at twelve point six percent; that’s over eighteen thousand employable persons who are out of work. A group of young people are being trained in computer technology that will hopefully land them online jobs. The Belize City Computer Skills Training Program was coordinated by three social organizations that are involved in youth development and they have hired CARDICOM Computer Science and Technologies to conduct the training. News Five’s Delahnie Bain reports on the project, which was launched this morning.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

In an attempt to improve the unemployment rate, the Social Investment Fund, Youth for the Future and the Community Policing Unit are exploring a new avenue for jobs; the internet. A computer training program was launched today to prepare a group of young people for the online job market.

Douglas Hyde, Youth Program Coordinator, Community Policing Unit

“They will have thirty participants; fifteen from Community Policing Unit and fifteen from Youth for the Future and this will run between four to five weeks.”

daniel cano

Daniel Cano, Executive Director, Social Investment Fund

“The project will provide participants with specialized training in web page design, QuickBooks, Photoshop and Microsoft Office through CARDICOM. Youth for the Future has also partnered with us to provide training on job preparedness. This will include resume writing, effective writing of job application letters, conflict resolution, setting of employment goals and work ethics.”

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education and Youth

patrick faber

“This program will benefit our young people, providing them with computer skills training on the one hand and on the other hand, simultaneously linking them up with employment opportunities globally through internet based employment companies such as www.oDesk.com, www.getacoder.com and www.Freelancer.com that allow companies worldwide to seek skilled persons that are hired and paid through a card that is sent to you in the mail.”

When the training is complete, the Community Policing Unit and Youth for the Future will be provided with equipment to facilitate the work of the participants.

douglas hyde

Douglas Hyde

“Both institutions will receive eight computers each and this is to enhance the whole productivity of the individuals who finish this training. They will get free access to service on these computers.”

Daniel Cano

“Digital cameras and a projector will also be provided to both centers to facilitate continuous training with the hope of attracting even more online workers in the future.”

Christine Smith, Director, Youth for the Future

“Once the training is finished, we will be getting the computers and we’re turning our training room into a second computer lab and the participants from this training will be able to access that lab.”

According to Douglas Hyde of the Community Policing Unit, if the project is successful, they’re taking it to the rest of the country.

Douglas Hyde

“What we are planning is that based on the success of this, we plan to expand it nationally to each district because it’s not only the young persons in Belize City and Belize District that are interested in IT and computer technology.”

Christine Smith

christine smith

“It’s a great opportunity and it’s exactly where we should be. As a youth centered agency, we need to be out there providing opportunities for our youths to not only better themselves, but use it as a tool for employment. The online market is one of the greatest growing markets.”

Representatives from each organization sealed the deal with the signing of a tripartite agreement. Delahnie Bain for News Five.

Funding for the program is being provided by the Basic Needs Trust Fund, which is jointly financed by the Caribbean Development Bank, the Canadian International Development Agency and the nine beneficiary governments.