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National Youth Service Corps Programme Overview.
The NYS Corps programme combines training in specific career skills, re-socialization and work experience to develop positive attitudes and values among participants in the areas of self, work place, community and nation, as well as provide opportunities and orientation for their entrance into the labour force. Recruitment & Selection of participants is island-wide and is done throughout the year. The NYS conducts training camps according to the Camp Schedule 2005-6.
Objectives of the Corps Programme.
Re-socialize youth to core Values and Attitudes facilitating participants' personal development ; to create an enhanced and enriched sense of self and citizenship.
- To give national service in keeping with a national objective for citizenry.
- To facilitate the Career Development of participants through exposure to particular career options. Service to country will therefore be translated into professional goals and achievement. As part of that process, the NYS provides tuition grants for further education.
Residential Orientation.
All Corps are based on a one-month residential training camp. Residential training provides an opportunity for participants to become exposed to an area of specialization (Special Curriculum) and presents an opportunity for the inculcation of the desired values and attitudes based on NYS standards ( Core Curriculum ). While the Core Curriculum remains constant for all camps the Special Curriculum varies to reflect the nature of the camp.
Job Placement.
Orientation is followed by six months of on-the-job placement during which the NYS pays a stipend to subsidise transportation and lunch. The NYS identifies placement sites and coordinates the placement of participants. Participants are placed by matching the needs of the organisation with the skills or qualifications of participants, preferences of participants and the distance from their homes.
Quality Control
Monitoring - Participants are periodically monitored by parish CSOs, Workshops - Each participant must attend a monthly workshop organised by the parish CSOs. Workshops involve career guidance sessions and re-enforcement of values taught on camp.
Corps Programmes Offered (Areas of specialization)
Early Childhood Education Health Facilitators
Uniform and Environment Clerical Administration
Customer Care Sales and Administration
Micro Entrepreneurial
Cost
The programme is funded by the Government of Jamaica with contributions from other agencies and the private sector.
In-Service Benefits Include:
• i. NIS , TRN, Bank Accounts opened
• ii. Medical Insurance
Post Service Benefits Include:
• iii. Financial assistance for further education
• iv. Cuban Scholarship qualification for consideration
• v. National Housing Trust benefits
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Between 2001 and 2004 the NYS trained on average 1,400 youth per year in the Corps Programme with 60 % transitioning to either permanent work or further studies compared to 34% from a control group. |
