Today, 60 young men and women graduated from the Youth Apprenticeship Program in Belize City. The second - chance program is in its 10th year of working with these youths who have dropped out of school. It gives them a second chance to get an education, and, more importantly, to get a job by connecting them to a network of employers.
Today, the program's director, Dianne Finnegan said the promise of her youths is undeniable:
Dianne Finnegan- Dir. Youth Apprenticeship Program
"What can I say? If society does not see that the greatest asset in this country are our young people, something is wrong with them. So, who doesn't want to celebrate them, that is their business. I am super proud of the these young people. What's next for them? Some of them are fully employed so they go back to work on Monday and I am super proud of them. Those who did not make it, they continue through the apprenticeship program where we provide them with job letters and we continue to look for job opportunities for them. There must be no reason why they cannot reach their level of greatness. This is a second chance program and we must do that all the way to the top."
Conspicuously absent today was Minister of Education and Youth, Patrick Faber. We asked Finnegan if it was because she is publicly supporting Faber's opponent in the UDP leadership race, John Saldivar:
Reporter
"This is a program of the Ministry of Education but yet the Minister is not here. You would want to think that something like this is important."
Dianne Finnegan- Dir. Youth Apprenticeship Program
"Well, this is how I look at life. It is he who should be here that are here. And the fact that the family and friends of these apprentices are present, that is what matters to me. Everybody has to live with the decisions that they make and the choices they make in life and you have to ask yourself, what is the example you are showing when it comes to young people. He is the Minister of Education. He really heads the Youth Apprenticeship program and he has always been a part of the ceremonies. So, I am not sure why he did not make it today."
Jules Vasquez- reporter
"Is there some distance being taken by the Minister because you are not with him?"
Dianne Finnegan
"Well, I can't answer for him. You would have to ask him that."
Jules Vasquez
"If you were to judge by actions? I'm sure an invitation was extended, I would imagine."
Dianne Finnegan
"Yes, we did. I'm not sure if he is in the country. I don't know what is the reason for why he is not here."
Jules Vasquez
"To use vernacular, if you mih dih ride with the man, he mih a dih ya (if you were riding with him, he would be here)."
Dianne Finnegan
"I can't answer that either, Jules. I can't say that for sure."
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