The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information will focus its National Youth Month activities on Jamaica’s post-Hurricane Melissa recovery while expanding young people’s access to essential services and opportunities.

State Minister, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, said the activities have been designed to reflect the country’s transition from relief to recovery in the aftermath of the hurricane.

She was speaking during the National Youth Month Church Service at the New Life Evangelistic Centre in Portmore, St. Catherine, on Sunday (November 1).

Ms. Crawford explained that the recovery effort will also seek to address gaps in access, noting that the activities are designed to help young people obtain critical documents and connect with essential services and opportunities.

The State Minister outlined a series of youth access initiatives, including a major youth access fair in the town of Mandeville, Manchester, and three ‘Pon Di Corna’ events scheduled for St. Thomas, St. Ann, and Portland.

The activities will bring together government service agencies and private-sector partners to assist young people who may be disengaged, at risk or without essential documents, including National Insurance Scheme (NIS) numbers, Taxpayer Registration Numbers (TRNs), birth certificates, and bank accounts.

Ms. Crawford said the events are intended to ensure that young people who engage directly with outreach teams can access the necessary documents, while those not reached in person will be referred to the relevant services and support systems within their parishes and communities.

The HEART/NSTA Trust will also participate, providing enrolment information and showcasing its ‘Try a Skill’ initiative, which gives young people the opportunity to explore available skills-training programmes and gain hands-on experience in various skill areas.

The Trust will also conduct on-the-spot assessments for individuals with skills in areas such as carpentry, tiling and electrical work who do not have formal certification.

The Ministry of Justice will also participate through its mobile unit, providing support for mediation and conflict resolution.

Ms. Crawford pointed to bullying in schools and broader conflict-resolution challenges as among the issues to be addressed.

She said the access initiatives would also assist eligible young people who are unable to apply for summer employment opportunities offered by the HEART/NSTA Trust and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development because they do not have bank accounts or TRNs.

“We are looking at putting in place what didn’t exist…. and so, we will have several different activities,” Ms. Crawford added.

Beyond the access fairs, the Ministry of Education will organise a youth workday at Coker Early Childhood Institution in St. Elizabeth, where participants will assist with rebuilding the school and establishing a reading corner.

Capacity-building workshops are also planned across the Ministry’s Regions, focusing on areas such as public speaking, résumé writing and leadership development.

Additionally, Ms. Crawford noted that the Youth Summit, scheduled for November 4 in Kingston, is already oversubscribed.

She further advised that a Youth IGNITE conference will also be held in Westmoreland, with participants expected from neighbouring parishes.

Transportation arrangements have been made in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to help participants travel to and from the events.

Ms. Crawford added that the month will culminate with the 16th sitting of the National Youth Parliament, which will involve 70 young people assuming the roles of Members of Parliament and other parliamentary officers.

She emphasised that the selection process was conducted independently, with young people applying directly to the Youth and Adolescent Policy Division to share their perspectives and provide feedback on national issues.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Kasan Troupe, encouraged young people to play an active role in national development, reminding them that they are valued.

“You are the reason why we work. You matter… you count. Youth is not a limitation. Youth is an opportunity to get involved,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary urged young people to take an active role in shaping Jamaica’s future.

“Make it matter. Ensure that the message you send in the future is a message that will transform Jamaica, land we love,” she said.

Dr. Troupe noted that while National Youth Month provides an important platform for young people to make their voices heard, efforts to support youth development will continue beyond November.

Chairman of the Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica (YACJ), Rodain Richardson, also challenged young people to prepare themselves to contribute meaningfully to national decision-making, urging them to move beyond simply seeking representation, to equipping themselves to engage effectively with issues affecting the country.

“A seat at the table is an opportunity. What we bring to that table determines whether the opportunity becomes meaningful,” he said, highlighting the importance of informed participation, constructive engagement and accountability.

Mr. Richardson also urged young people to ensure that their participation in national affairs is grounded in preparation, research and a genuine commitment to contributing to Jamaica’s development.