Youth Programmes

The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, in an effort to positively influence our diverse 550,000-member youth population, is guided by the National Youth Policy (2020-2025), which focuses on the empowerment and strategic engagement of our youth, as co-creators of sustainable development initiatives.

The Programmes offered by the MSYA are aligned to the following (8) strategic priorities for youth development:

  1. Prioritising Youth Economic Participation and Empowerment
  2. Harnessing Youth Social and Intellectual Capital
  3. Facilitating inclusive and Active Youth in the Civic and Democratic Life of Trinidad and Tobago
  4. Creating Safe Spaces, Peaceful Communities and Environments
  5. Promoting Holistic Youth Health and Well-being
  6. Emphasizing Youth Participation in Rural Transformation, Agriculture Production and Food Security
  7. Supporting Youth Action on Climate Change, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Justice
  8. Creating and Enabling Environment for Positive Youth Development in Trinidad and Tobago.
These strategic priorities will be achieved through the service Divisions/Programmes within the Ministry.
Youth Affairs Division

YOUTEC

The You-Tec short-course Programme offers vocational skills training, enhanced by life skills training, to provide trainees with employability skills, self-employment and entrepreneurial skills.  YouTec positions young persons, 16 to 35 years of age, to acquire entry-level skills to become successful business owners and/or increase their marketability, in the following areas:

  • Nail Technology,
  • Makeup Artistry
  • Preservative and Pickling
  • Culinary Arts
  • Barbering
  • Hairdressing/Braiding/Weaving

Tech Skills for the 21st Century

AI Skills

Cyber Security

Animation

Coding

Cosmetology

Hospitality (F&B Industry)

Auto Mechanics for High End Vehicles

National Youth Awards

The National Youth Awards Programme is designed to celebrate the achievements of young people ages 10 – 35 years who contribute to national development. The 2024 National Youth Awards, awarded persons and groups in thirteen (13) individual categories and five (5) group categories. 

Youth Observances

World youth skills day

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly  declared July 15  as World Youth Skills Day to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. Since then, World Youth Skills Day events have provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, employers and workers’ organizations, policy makers and development partners.  World Youth Skills Day reflects our mission to prepare young people in Trinidad and Tobago for a dynamic future. Through skills training programmes, mentorship, and development initiatives, we are committed to empowering youth to unlock their potential and contribute meaningfully to national growth.

International youth day

International Youth Day, observed annually on August 12th, is a global celebration dedicated to highlighting the vital role of young people in driving change and building sustainable futures. Proclaimed by the United Nations in 1999, this day serves as a platform to recognize youth achievements, amplify their voices, and address the challenges they face in an evolving world. 

For the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, International Youth Day represents an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the talents, skills, and leadership potential of young people across Trinidad and Tobago. Our programmes and initiatives are designed to promote empowerment, inclusivity, and innovation—ensuring that the nation’s youth are equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development.