The document discusses youth unemployment in the Caribbean region. It notes that youth unemployment rates in the Caribbean are among the highest in the world and are higher than adult rates. It also notes that unemployment rates are higher for female youth than males. The document identifies some of the key causes of youth unemployment as a lack of skills and experience, as well as constrained opportunities due to factors like location, health status, and discrimination. It also discusses the high socioeconomic costs of excess youth unemployment, including costs associated with unemployment, early pregnancy, and imprisonment. The document reviews some existing policy responses and youth employment programs in the Caribbean but notes there are still shortcomings around fragmentation and disconnects between training and labor market needs. It concludes by calling for

1. YOUTH ARE THE FUTURE:
THE IMPERATIVE OF YOUTH
EMPLOYMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015
CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
Presented by: Dr. Kari Grenade, Economist
National Youth Consultation, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth
Radisson Aquatica, St. Michael, Barbados

2. Structure of Presentation
1. The Youth Unemployment Challenge in the Caribbean
2. Causes of Youth Unemployment
3. Socio-economic Costs of Youth Unemployment
4. Existing Policy Responses
5. Possible Solutions

3. Youth Unemployment Rates in the
Caribbean among the Highest in the World

4. Youth Unemployment Rates are Higher
than Adult Rates

5. Unemployment Rates Higher for Female
Youth than Males

6. Causes of Youth Unemployment
Lack of relevant skills Lack of experience
Lack of knowledge of
vacancies
Constrained
opportunities due to:
Health status or disability
Location (rural location or
general lack of transport
options
Stigma and
discrimination due to:
Age, area of residency,
motherhood, criminal
record
Why are
youth unemployed?

7. High Costs to Society
PROBLEM ESTIMATED COST
USD (Millions)
Regional Barbados
Excess Youth
Unemployment
883.4 59.4
Excess Youth
Pregnancy
96.5 1.1
Excess Youth
Imprisonment
11.6 2.4

8. Youth Issues are Addressed…
The Caribbean Region has a majority of basic
requirements in place for addressing youth
unemployment
Institutionalisation of
youth issues in
government
ministries
Availability of
vocational education
and training
Remedial
employment-related
training schemes
Support for self-
employment

9. …But there are Shortcomings
Piecemeal, fragmented
youth programmes,
inadequate information
sharing
Youth issues aligned
with social issues, but
often separated from
labour market issues
Generic employment programmes as a result of disconnect
between TVET training and labour market needs

10. Some Positive Examples
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Passport to Success
Focusses on
employment skills
curriculum, Job
shadowing and work
experience programmes
GRENADA
Imani Programme
Focusses not only on
employment but self-
development. Courses in
• Personal Skills,
• Health and Well-Being
• Managing Conflicts and
Problem Solving
• My Community and Me
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Youth Training and
Employment Partnership
Programme (YTEPP)
A skill-development
programme specifically
directed at assisting
school-to-work transition

11. An Action Agenda for Sustainable and
Inclusive Youth Development
Innovation
Real economic
innovation
New growth sectors
underpinned by
technology and
innovation
Investment
Education and training
(curriculum relevance)
Psycho-social
enhancements (soft skills)
Skills development,
entrepreneurial education
Remedial employment
and re-employment
training
Insurance
Systematic social
protection
Institutions
Holistic and integrated
support for youth
empowerment
Better balance between
effectiveness and
political expediency

12. How to Beat the Odds & Get Noticed
Consider being your own boss and building a business in an area you love
Take advantage of career education and guidance programmes at your school
Commit to finishing school to become qualified and certified
Build your skill sets through volunteering, and after-school and vacation jobs
Find a mentor or role model who is excelling in their job and could help you along
your career journey
Explore non-traditional careers in culture, arts, sports, information technology and
green energy
Take advantage of the Internet to learn new things that could help improve your
professional skills

13. Thank You!
@caribank
Caribbean Development Bank
Caribbean Development Bank
Caribank
www.caribank.org