On Monday, February 17, 2025, the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) launched the Healthcare Training Programme, at the Government Campus Plaza; adding to its suite of Programmes under National Service.
This inaugural Cohort will admit 75 young persons to be trained in Patient Care Assistance for the Differently-abled; and 25 young persons to be trained as Emergency Medical Technicians.
Minister of Youth Development and National Service, the Honourable Foster Cummings, delivered the feature address and shared his experience as a youth seeking employment, stating “I became employed and I worked hard and long hours and developed myself for growth in the workplace, until I decided to become an entrepreneur.” The Minister urged participants to, “Take risks; take the opportunities in the health business and grasp them by both hands. The Government has provided the training and you can create employment opportunities. Even when there are challenges or failures, don’t give up. Grow from your negative experience, collaborate with others, and put your new-found Healthcare skills to develop yourself.”
Health Minister, the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh engaged the audience using an analogy between sports and business. Minister Deyalsingh said, “In the football league, 4th position is better than 13th position, but in the world of business, it is better to have $13,000. rather than $4,000. The Minister added, “The word ‘jobs’ has four letters, but there are 13 letters in ‘Opportunities”; highlighting that there are many entrepreneurial opportunities in the Health Sector such as home healthcare and healthcare transportation and gave the example, “Langston Roach and Helen Bhagwansingh both started their entrepreneurship journey from their homes and today these are big businesses. You too can become your own boss. There are available financial and educational support, so explore the opportunities and become your own boss. The sky is the limit.”
The Healthcare Training Programme is offered in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), to expand the pool of healthcare providers in the industry.
The Programme offers theoretical training and practical hands-on experience, to prepare young persons for careers in healthcare and home care; catering to the essential medical needs of patients.
Dr. Keith Nurse, President of COSTAATT stated that records show worldwide, Trinidad and Tobago has the fastest aging population. Dr. Nurse assured the participants “The expertise you will develop from this Healthcare Training Programme is going to be increasingly valuable, as there is an increasing demand for homecare and professional care in many institutions.” Healthcare, Nurse added, “is an evolving industry that is becoming more complex in technologies, with the introduction of telemedicine and AI; and COSTAAT is keen in supporting this journey of new Healthcare professionals.”
MYDNS’ Manager, National Service, Ms. Gachelle Gilkes-Edwards informed the participants that they are entering the medical arena with retired professional volunteers, youth-based organisations and influencers, who are contributing to the educational and attitudinal development of at-risk youth, by providing daily care. Edwards added, “This Healthcare Training Programme is your access point to the arena where you will increase your awareness and your ownership of the needs of our nation. It will empower you to move forward.”
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to promote youth development and encourages civic-minded citizens to contribute to the National Service of Trinidad and Tobago.
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