The Ministry of Youth and Sports has successfully concluded the transition process for the first phase of the New IMANI Programme. This marks a significant milestone in the Government’s ongoing efforts to support youth development and promote pathways to meaningful employment.
The New IMANI Programme is a flagship initiative designed to empower young Grenadians aged 18 to 35 by providing essential training, work experience, and personal development opportunities over a two-year engagement period.
As part of the Government’s initiative to transition trainees into sustainable employment, the Ministry engaged private sector stakeholders in a series of consultations in 2024. These stakeholders were invited to retain trainees as full-time employees within their establishments and to compensate them at least with the national minimum wage. Employers were also asked to confirm their commitment to this arrangement by March 31, 2025. Additionally, the Ministry engaged IMANI trainees in consultative dialogue as part of the process.
This transition resulted in 42 of the 79 trainees being retained across 30 private sector placement sites. Training will continue for the 37 trainees who were not retained. Importantly, all affected trainees will continue to receive their programme stipends uninterrupted during this transition period.
The Ministry extends its sincere gratitude to all private sector stakeholders who have partnered with the programme and contributed meaningfully to the development of the nation’s young people. Their support has been critical in ensuring the continued success of this national youth development initiative.
Looking ahead, we are actively preparing for Phase II of the transition process, which will focus on trainees currently placed within state-owned enterprises. The goal is to transition these individuals into full-time employment at their respective placement sites, thereby strengthening the bridge between training and long-term employment opportunities.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is committed to youth empowerment; thus, the creation of sustainable employment solutions for Grenada’s young people is of paramount importance and reaffirms openness to ongoing collaboration with the private sector and other national stakeholders who share in the mission of creating an empowered future for the nation’s youth.
