PYL Alarmed at the High Percentage of Unemployed Young Bahamians

The Progressive Young Liberals (PYL) expressed alarmed over the Labour Force Survey for November 2011 which indicates that the unemployment rate for youth has increased to thirty-four (34%) percent.

This astronomically high percentage is a clear indication that the government has sought to do absolutely nothing to provide opportunities for those Bahamians leaving school and entering the workforce.

This FNM government has borrowed excessively over the past 5 years, yet did not see the necessity to invest in young Bahamians.

The PYL supports the PLP's aggressive economic agenda that, among other things, will provide for doubling the nation's investment in education and training, from preschool through graduate school; expanding technical and vocational training and apprenticeship opportunities for 15,000 young people annually and making it a requirement that all persons receiving unemployment benefits attend a technical and vocational course.

Clearly the government has not adequately trained and properly equipped young Bahamians for these trying times. This is evidenced by the survey where the Department of Statistics stated that one of the reasons for the high percentage rate is the failure by many young Bahamians who attempted to venture into self employment or employment in the informal sector.

This is why a new PLP government will place a strong focus on training, as it is imperative that young Bahamians are prepared to take full advantage of any economic opportunities afforded to them.