POSITIVE WORDS, LITTLE ACTION

Aug 16, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

The announcement by the Minister of Social Protection a few weeks ago that the government will invest in initiatives to empower youths is a step in the right direction, but the truth be told there has only been talking; the administration has not matched words with action. It has to educate the youths, create jobs for them and make sure that they are nurtured into becoming good citizens.
In Guyana, youths in the 16-35 age groups are approximately two-thirds of the population, which means that the country has one of the more youthful populations in the hemisphere. Many of our youths are poor and jobless; others are hopeless. The high rate of unemployment amongst them is an urgent matter that should be high priority for the government. But it is not.
The fact that youths are seeking quality and decent paying jobs, places immense pressure on the government – the largest single employer in the country. Employers of the private sector are under similar pressure to pay higher salaries and to provide better working conditions.
There is a more highly educated youth workforce in the country today, which suggests that those seeking employment are expected to be appropriately remunerated. If not, they are likely to migrate to greener pastures. The assumption is that, if Guyana cannot afford to pay decent salaries to its highly qualified and talented youths, they will be absorbed by the richer countries.
Based on this scenario, it is rather unfortunate that Guyana will not have those with the requisite skills needed to develop the country and improve the well-being of the masses. However, this is not unique to Guyana. Most developing countries are having the same experience.
Statistics have shown that in today’s job market, there is an increasing number of youths who are currently employed in the private sector in supervisory and management positions. Employers in the private sector have recognized the value of having qualified youths in their workforce and have invested in them with the hope that they will be rewarded with good work habits.
In Guyana, employers are aware that contract employment has become the norm, and it seems possible that some individuals will change jobs more than two or three times in their working career, which most companies would want to avoid.
While the government has been accused of employing pensioners and retired military personnel, employers in the private sector have duly acknowledged and valued the skills of youths and are mindful of the need to provide sustainable and quality jobs to them with attractive remuneration packages and benefits. The crowning glory of this is that they are also offering job security in the form of tenure to youths.
As the youths grow and develop in their jobs, they inevitably amass a wealth of experience that would serve the organization and/or enterprise in good stead in the future. Most employers in the private sector believe that while it’s important to have youths in their workforce, it is equally important to keep them for as long as possible.
Employers with a vision for the growth and development of their businesses, and the country, know that by exposing young workers at an early stage will provide them with many opportunities, such as placing them in a position to recruit other employees with the requisite skills. Needless to say, this would place them at an advantage, because most new recruits will more than likely commit to working with the organization for a long time.
Many in the private sector are of the view that there are greater benefits to be had in investing in young workers than it is for an older workforce. Most youths tend to bring fresh, innovative perspectives and ideas to business, and are more likely to ask questions and think outside the box. They can convince management to consider their viewpoints in a positive way. Considering all the above, government should invest in youths.

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