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Established in 1973, the National Youth Service was re-launched in 1995 after a 12 year break amidst major concerns about the high level of youth unemployment, academic underachievement, the lack of training opportunities for young people and their escalating trend toward anti-social behaviour. The NYS mandate therefore, is t o tackle these youth issues and make a meaningful impact on the number of unattached youth (i.e. unemployed and not enrolled in school) in Jamaica now totalling over 140,000.
The 1994 National Youth Policy has provided the frame of reference for the operation of the NYS programme. The NYS became a statutory body on April 1, 1999 and has operated under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Youth, & Culture since May 2001. NYS programmes are funded by the Government of Jamaica along with contributions from private institutions.
The organisation is uniquely suited to effectively address many of the social issues facing young people in Jamaica . Consequently, the NYS manages a number of programmes including:
- The Mentoring Programme
The Mentoring Programme is a continuation of the re-socialization process which aims to provide guidance and support to students in accomplishing their goals, provide a positive role model and facilitate pro-social orientation of mentees.
- The Role of the NYS in the Career Advancement Programme (CAP)
The NYS is charged with the responsibility of facilitating training for employment and re-socialisation in keeping with its vision towards constructive, social and cultural relations and wealth creation.
- The Jamaica Values and Attitudes Project for Tertiary Students (JAMVAT)
A programme that provides partial payment of tuition fees in exchange for voluntary service.
- Financial Assistance
The NYS has been training participants for over four decades and has accommodated participant possessing CXCs on both extremes.
- The National Summer Employment Programme
An annual programme employing on average 4,000 students island-wide during the summer holidays.
- The NYS Volunteerism Project
Periodic projects managed by the NYS in association with private sponsors, national, parish and community organizations, cadets, community members and NYS participants.
Through the Corps Programme, the NYS is able to influence young people via emphasis on:
Behaviour Modification, Volunteerism/ Patriotism, Career Development. NYS Corps participants are rated highly for their discipline, respect for authority, punctuality and their willingness and ability to follow instructions, take initiative and to work on teams cross-function and . Corps Programmes include: Early Childhood Education Teachers Aides, Health Promotion Facilitators, Uniform Service, Clerical Administration, Environmental Aides, Micro-entrepreneurial, Sales & Administration and Customer Care. The financial year 2004-05 saw the NYS training 1,946 young people in the Corps Programme following four years of averaging 1,400 per year. This was largely due to the participation of the private sector in the programme.
Based on, The NYS has a history of contributing quality personnel at the entry level to public and private organizations as well as to tertiary institutions. A report commissioned by the International Development Bank in 2003 on 2001/02 Corps participants revealed that 60.1% of participants went on to either full time employment or tertiary studies compared to 34% from a control group. |
