Minister Prakash Persad Urges Employers To Give Former Inmates A Second Chance
Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training Professor Prakash Persad is urging public and private sector employers to create opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration efforts for ex-convicts, the Minister underscored the importance of creating pathways to opportunity for those seeking a fresh start.
« Real development must also be measured by how we treat those at the margins. Those seeking a second chance, and maybe even a third chance, because we are human beings. »
The MoU, signed on Thursday between the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP), Vision on Mission (VOM) and the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), seeks to expand access to training, certification and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Professor Persad noted that helping individuals overcome social and economic barriers not only transforms lives but also enables them to make meaningful contributions to national development.
« This programme doesn’t stop at training. It goes further. It prepares individuals for life beyond rehabilitation. It provides them with practical, marketable skills. It builds confidence. It creates structure and, importantly, it connects them to pathways that lead to dignity and self-sufficiency. »
The Minister described the initiative as a strategic investment in the nation’s future, saying it has the potential to build safer communities, increase workforce participation and reduce the social and economic costs associated with recidivism.
Chairman of the YTEPP Board of Directors, Bishop Dr Maurice Jones, also emphasised the critical role of the partnership in supporting successful reintegration into society.
« Through Vision On Mission, we are extending educational access to individuals seeking meaningful reintegration into society. Through AMCA, we are elevating professional standards and expanding international opportunities for our trainees. »
Centred on the theme « Second Chances Through Higher Education », the partnership reflects a broader national commitment to equipping individuals with the education, professional certifications and employable skills needed to become productive citizens and contribute positively to society.
