SPARKING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AT A YOUNG AGE

Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago (YBTT) and Atlantic LNG have joined forces to launch the Atlantic Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. The initiative aims to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in 250 secondary school students in the Point Fortin and Environs area, helping them develop their business ideas and mindset.

The programme, which targeted five secondary schools, included a range of interventions such as webinars featuring successful entrepreneurs, an e-learning platform, and mentorship. The initiative culminated in a pitch competition held on March 3rd, 2023.

Trudy Solomon, the Sustainability Officer of Atlantic LNG, emphasized the company’s commitment to investing in sustainability programs that benefit youth, stating that entrepreneurship was an area of great interest. “There is so much potential in this area, and we are thrilled to partner with YBTT to implement this program,” said Ms. Solomon.

The winner of this year’s pitch competition, Ms. Stevann Barras of Point Fortin West Secondary School, shared her experience, stating that the programme helped her build self-esteem and confidence, two essential attributes needed for entrepreneurship.

The top finalists of the Atlantic Youth Entrepreneurship Programme Pitch Competition were:

• • Stevann Barras, Point Fortin West Secondary (1st place)
  • Dayna Cox, Holy Name Convent Point Fortin (2nd place)
  • Kohanna Reid, Point Fortin West Secondary (3rd place)
  • Jordan Gill, Point Fortin West Secondary (4th place)

Shedron Collins, the General Manager of Youth Business T&T, stressed the importance of introducing entrepreneurship as an opportunity for creating value to teenagers. “Our programme is designed to be a catalyst for making students’ ideas come true in the near future. Everyone can be a creator and everyone can have life-changing ideas,” said Mr. Collins.

The success of the programme has led to the announcement of a new cycle of the Atlantic Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, set to be launched later this year, further nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in Trinidad and Tobago’s youth.