The Government of Jamaica

Jamaican Flag
Ministry Of Education, Skills, Youth and Information
Facebook-f Instagram Envelope

The Government of Jamaica

Jamaican Flag

The Youth Information Centres was an output of the Operation Phoenix Programme is a Youth Empowerment and Participation Programme focussing on information dissemination and the provision of other complementary and related services and programmes to young persons aged 15-24. The Programme was built on the emerging policy objective to empower youth through the dissemination of information and the provision of youth-related services and outreach activities at central and easily accessible locations island wide. YICs were conceptualised as a means of central, youth-friendly hub for the dissemination of youth-related information to young persons. In 2017, the centres were rebranded as Youth Innovation Centres and the youth age was expanded to to 15-29 years.

MOE Launch 01483

Mission

To provide an innovative, responsive, youth-friendly space that utilises positive youth development approaches to build self and harness the talents and creative potential of Jamaica’s young people for wealth creation and active citizenship.

Vision

Jamaican youth from all circumstances are empowered, resilient and maximising their full potential.

Priority Groups

Services in Youth Innovation Centres are open to all young people between the ages 15-29. Recruitment and programme delivery strategies are tailored to ensure the engagement of the following priority groups:

  • Most at-risk Youth Populations (youth not in employment, education or training).
  • Youth in chronic unemployment.
  • Youth in deep rural or underserved communities;
  • Teen parents.
  • Youth in conflict with the law.
  • Youth living in extreme poverty.
  • Youth in community youth groups
MOE Launch 01505

Programme Objectives

MOE Launch 01542

Youth Innovation Centres are focused on achieving the following objectives:

  • Facilitate the start-up of viable and sustainable youth enterprises, particularly in the ICT and creative industries;
  • Youth in deep Increase the number of youth who are able to demonstrate competencies to secure and retain employment; or underserved communities;
  • Increase the number of youth who demonstrate adaptive abilities and coping skills, self-care, positive health seeking behaviour and other positive health practices; and
  • Increase the number of youth who demonstrate proclivity for active citizenship.