90 graduate from EPoS entrepreneurial camp

Laventille East/Morvant MP and Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Adrian Leonce told 90 young people who graduated from the 2023 Youth Entrepreneurial Programme (YEP) that if they cultivated an entrepreneurial mindset, they would never suffer.

The programme was offered by the East Port of Spain Development Company Ltd (EPoS) during the July/August vacation. It is an annual two-week interactive business workshop designed for teenagers aged 13-17. The programme features interactive sessions encompassing various aspects of business planning, start-up strategies, administration, motivation and teamwork.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony at the Russell Latapy Secondary School on Wednesday, Leonce shared how he acquired the skill of barbering at a young age, which not only provided him with income but also enabled him to buy his first home at the age of 25.

"That skill carried me throughout my years. It is a skill that I continue to practise, so if tomorrow I become unemployed, I can always go back and cut hair. That understanding of being an entrepreneur will always carry me throughout my life so I will never suffer.”

He urged the participants to grasp the essence of entrepreneurship. He said with the right mindset, they could thrive by identifying problems, and remain consistent, persistent, and dedicated.

“If you’re not sure what you could do as a business, look around you: everything is a business. Setting up microphone systems, repairing air-conditioning units, making furniture, all can be turned into successful businesses. Identify your passion, something you like, develop the skill, strengthen it and go out and offer to the people of your community. They are your first market.”

He noted that in his community, there were 25 schools, and there had been an issue of providing school uniforms. He said the constituency had taught people how to sew and they had set up businesses providing uniforms to schools.

Leonce pledged ongoing support from the Ministry to the youth of East Port of Spain, with plans to expand funding for the programme.

EPoS chairman Chinua Alleyne shared his personal story of becoming an entrepreneur at a young age through selling sweets and soft drinks. He urged parents to support their children in their entrepreneurial journeys.

"These young people who have completed the programme have proven to all of us that the more we provide opportunities for the young people in our community is the more that we have a chance at seeing our community become a place in which we can continue to be proud."

EPOS managing director Dr Deborah Thomas-Austin challenged the conventional approach of seeking jobs after education.

"We have been conditioned to look for a job, to look for somebody to employ you and to tell you what to do.

"We want to change your mindset. We want to get you thinking in a way that you are not looking for someone to create a job for you. We want to give you the tools, we want to give you the confidence to be able to take that step for yourself."

Graduates of the programme presented plans for the businesses they would like to form, including entertainment companies and beauty manufacturing companies.

Anthony Thomas, 13, of Carenage, said the programme was entertaining, and he would definitely be pursuing a business.

“My brothers did the programme before me. They were younger than me. It was also enlightening.”

Dejourie Mcneilly from South East Port of Spain said, “The camp was nice, I learned many new things. I didn’t know about entrepreneurship before, but I think I will definitely be going into business selling beauty products.”

Joshua Baird from Morvant said he would also be pursuing a career in entrepreneurship, based on the things he learned in the camp.