Deadline: 21 November 2016
The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) is currently seeking applications for its programme titled- Youth Skills for Economic Growth in the Eastern Caribbean.
The programme covers 4 of DFID Caribbean’s 8 focus countries – 4 of the poorest Eastern Caribbean countries, where the needs on skills are particularly high, where the economic structures are more similar, and where the options for development support to fill the gaps are more limited.
Many young people in the Caribbean face a very challenging transition from school to work, and can face years of unemployment or underemployment. High youth unemployment represents lost potential contributions to economic development, and is also associated with a higher risk of involvement in violence and crime, especially among young men. Inadequate skill development is seen as a barrier to growth and employment in the Caribbean. There are ‘skills gaps’ in the Caribbean workforce which impede productivity and innovation, and constrain the ability of firms to enter new sectors, to grow and to create employment. Despite relatively high levels of investment in education and basic education access, there are issues in the quality of education, and there is a “mismatch” between the outputs of the education system and the requirements of the labour market.
The programme also takes due account of the social dimensions of the skills problem in the Caribbean context – poverty, gender and disability. National poverty rates in the Eastern Caribbean are relatively high, and young people are over-represented among the poor.
How to Apply
Interested applicant must apply using DFID supplier portal.
Eligible Countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
For more information, please visit DFID.