East Caribbean Youth Assessment Final Report - EQUIP123.net

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYUnder the EQUIP/3 mechanism, the Education Development Center has been tasked byUSAID/Eastern Caribbean (USAID/EC) to conduct a rapid youth assessment to inform itsstrategic planning exercises for 2010-2014. The assessment sought to glean information andstrategic ideas from a diverse range of stakeholders regarding the current realities of the 15-20year-old youth cohort.The assessment was guided by three framing questions: (a) What realities do youth face in theEC region? (b) What resources and innovative programs do youth have access to? and, (c) Whatare the strategic options that can inform USAID/EC‘s youth strategy?The core team consisted of a workforce development specialist, an organizational developmentspecialist, and three country-based teams of youth assessors. Primary data collection consistedof fieldwork in Antigua, Grenada, St. Kitts and St. Lucia from July 20-31, 2008.A purposeful non-random sampling approach was utilized to systematically compare theperceptions of young people – their accomplishments, experiences and opportunities – with thoseidentified by the private sector, public officials, NGOs, community colleges and internationaldonors. Across the four islands, a total sample of 211 key informants were interviewed.In addition to describing regional and country-specific youth programs, assessment findings wereorganized into three major sections: (i) a multi-sectoral analysis of key issues surrounding youngpeople; (ii) a supply (youth assets) and demand (key industries and emerging markets) analysisacross the four assessment countries; and (iii) recommendations for youth strategy development.Multi -Sectoral Analysis of Key Youth IssuesDemographics: Population growth rates in the EC are low and total population is becomingolder. The EC has a high external and internal migration patterns.Social Organization & Identity: Current academic achievement among females is nottranslating into economic empowerment. Global media is causing the adoption of foreignpopular culture, lifestyles and consumption habits among youth.Political Participation: EC youth have a rich history of political participation. Yet, manyperceive that politicians use them during elections and then forget their issues once power isobtained.Economic Development: EC youth are highly susceptible to poverty and face significantchallenges in entering the formal labor force. In addition to the supply of labor overwhelmingdemand, the youth cohort lacks essential job skills: basic education, soft and technical.Education and Training: Girls are significantly outperforming boys in secondary schools.There is a high dropout rate among secondary school-aged males. There is also a shortage ofvocational training opportunities. Most opportunities that exist do not link graduates to jobs.v