BY ESTHER NURIA
UNEMPLOYMENT is a major problem our country is facing today. And our young people who have dropped out of school have found it very difficult seeking employment.
But through a program offered for our young youths, the Youth at Work program, sponsored by the Secretariat of the Pacific Committee (SPC), has impacted a lot of young youths today with programs they offer.
Solomon Women Newspaper this week on Monday 30th managed to talk with one of the youth at the Youth@ Work program. Ms. Georgina Justine, who is twenty years of age; part Western and Malaita province shared her experience with Youth@ Work.
Solomon Women Newspaper (SWN): In what year did you join the Youth@ Work program?
Ms. Georgina Justine (GJ): I joined Youth at Work program back in September 2014.
SWN: How did you know that Youth@ Work exists?
GJ: From the business school I’ve attended SBEC (Small Business Enterprise Centre) – as it has links with SPC. Therefore after I completed my trainings there, they encouraged us (SBEC Students) to collect forms from SPC or Youth at Work. And also with encouragement from my family and friends, I therefore collected my form from the Youth at Work; here I am doing my internship program.
SWN: Why do you chose to join Youth@ Work?
GJ: I chose to join Youth at Work because my friends and family told me how that the place can help us young people who dropped out of school who can no longer be accepted in the education system to continue through with our studies. Thus, with Youth at Work program it mentors us young people in every day issues of life and the importance of standing on our own. And through these programs they helped us youths in providing internship training and find places for us to do job attachments.
SWN: And does it provide you with what you seek?
GJ: Yes it does, and now here I am doing my internship training at DJ Graphics.
SWN: Do you love what you’re doing?
GJ: Yes, I really enjoy what I am doing even though sometimes things can be tough and difficult, but at the end of the day I achieve something.
SWN: Have you come across challenges in your work place?
GJ: Yes I face a lot of challenges, maybe because this is the first time for me to experience the work force. By getting up early in the morning for work and spending bus fare every day. It be challenging, tiring and stressful at some point.
SWN: How do you tackle these challenges?
GJ: I tackle these challenges by reminding myself that I have to accept the fact that this is reality. Realizing that life is not easy. We cannot rely on our parents for that long, and in order to be successful we must work hard. And through this; patience is the only way for me to accept whatever circumstances that come my way. Because at the end of the day this is what I want, so I must face it.
SWN: Are there some other plans you have in expanding your career?
GJ: Yes I have other plans, because my internship will lapse in June. Therefore I am thinking of doing further studies at Solomon Islands National University (SINU) or USP. I’m still young, and therefore school will be the main focus for me at this point of time.
SWN: Any last comments you wish to share with our readers?
GJ: My encouragement to you young people who are staying back at home doing nothing, it is best for you to join youth programs, stop staying at home. But remember you are someone that the society needs through nation building. Like for me it has helped to build my life as a young person to understand the struggles of life, my purpose of being here and the role I should play in the society. I really enjoy what I do, and other youths who have done the same are enjoying it as well. Therefore I want to thank the youth at work and SPC by offering the program in helping us young people.
