The excellent work and achievements of Jamaican youth have been on show on Saturday (Might 31) as 43 people and teams have been introduced with the 2024 Prime Minister’s Nationwide Youth Awards for Excellence (PMNYAE).
Held on the Jamaica Home lawns, the ceremony awarded younger individuals within the classes of Lecturers, Agriculture and Agro-Processing, Arts and Tradition, Entrepreneurship/Social Entrepreneurship, Environmental Safety, Innovation in Science and Know-how, Journalism/E-Journalism, Music, Nation-Constructing (Volunteerism), Nationwide Management, New Media (Social Media/ Youtubers/ Bloggers/ Vloggers), Sports activities, Youth Growth and the brand new classes of Particular Skills and Technical and Vocational Training and Coaching (TVET).
The Prime Minister’s Particular Award for Excellence was introduced to the Clayton twins, Tia and Tina, for his or her distinctive achievements in observe and discipline.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his handle, stated that after surveying the record of over 100 nominees from which 88 have been shortlisted, he couldn’t assist however assume that “we’re a blessed individuals with expertise.”
“These younger leaders, innovators, athletes, entrepreneurs, and alter makers, each class proper throughout the board, exemplify the easiest of Jamaica. They remind us concerning the potential of our younger individuals and that the way forward for our nation is in succesful palms,” the Prime Minister stated.
He famous that the event of younger individuals is the cornerstone of nation constructing and one of many primary methods the Authorities has invested in youth is thru schooling and coaching.
Dr. Holness outlined varied programmes which can be in place to help college students from early childhood to the tertiary and vocational ranges, together with the Studying and Funding for Transformation (LIFT) and the Neighborhood Motion for Rewarding Engagement (CARE).
“We additionally launched cutting-edge expertise coaching for youth by way of public-private partnerships such because the Amber HEART Academy,” he stated, including that grants of as much as $300,000 have been launched for current graduates of the HEART/NSTA Belief Degree 4 Science, Know-how, Engineering and Arithmetic (STEM) programs to purchase specialised instruments, software program and begin companies.
Dr. Holness additional pointed to investments in synthetic intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.
“Jamaica won’t be left behind… within the digital and technological revolutions that we now face. I’ve given directives to HEART to introduce a immediate engineering course… to coach Jamaicans in successfully utilizing AI instruments,” he indicated.
He stated that the Authorities can also be putting deal with younger individuals with disabilities and particular wants, stating, “they’re succesful Jamaicans who deserve equal entry to schooling, coaching, employment and entrepreneurial help.”
Whereas hailing the awardees, Prime Minister Holness recommended younger individuals throughout Jamaica who’re making notable strikes withing their parishes and communities.
“Tonight, we have fun over 43 distinctive younger Jamaicans, however we salute all of the youth of Jamaica in each parish and each group who’re working laborious, lifting others and striving for excellence. Whether or not or not you stand on this stage tonight, you might be all winners. Each Jamaican youth is a star,” he stated.
Minister of Training, Expertise, Youth and Data, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, in her handle, welcomed the brand new award classes of Particular Skills and TVET, which have been added at her suggestion.
“Actual help to the particular talents group requires actual motion, and it’s for that purpose that I beneficial to the Prime Minister the addition of a brand new class to have fun members of the particular wants group. Our Jamaicans with particular talents are worthy of the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence too,” the Minister stated.
Turning to the deal with TVET, Minister Morris Dixon stated that “schooling is far more than simply levels,” noting that the Authorities, by way of HEART/ NSTA Belief, continues to put money into and elevate expertise coaching in Jamaica.
Kristina Kelly acquired the award for Particular Skills, with Dihanroy Mitchell and Adrian Shackleford awarded for TVET.
Different notable award recipients are Alana Reid, Nathaniel Bailey and Kemar Richards for Sports activities; Anna-Lisa Guthrie and Drucillah ‘Dru’ Campbell for Arts and Tradition; Myesha Broadie for Journalism; the Foster triplets – Malaika, Mahari and Mikaili for Music; and Evert ‘Evy’ Johnson and Daindra Harrison for New Media.
