Are you thinking of changing you career or looking for a career as you have recently graduated. In addition to combing the daily newspaper there are sufficient local and regional online resources that may aid in you job search.

We take a look in this three part series of various training programs, government, industry, media and private sites available to go about searching for available opportunities.

Starting with the Government’s effort, they provide a myriad of training options in both Trinidad and Tobago utilizing the various ministries. The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs runs the Skills Training Program whereas the Multi-Sector Skills Training Program is administered by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education.

Skills Training Program
The skills training program is a community development initiative oriented toward Household Domestic Support and Employment Generation.

The On-the-Job Training Programme
The The On-the-Job Training Programme (OJT) provides an opportunity to gain practical experience and work-based training. All trainees are certified to National Occupational Standards through the Trinidad and Tobago Vocational Qualifications (TTNVQ) Framework, the new national accreditation system for vocational education, which allows them to pursue further education and training.

MuST - The Multi-Sector Skills Training Programme
The Multi-Sector Skills Training Programme (MuST) provides training in construction and hospitality and tourism. Construction sector trainees receive training at construction sites and on other construction-related projects in constructive occupations.

YTEPP - The Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme
The Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) is an intervention strategy aimed at addressing the issue of escalating unemployment, particularly among young persons between the ages of 15 and 25. YTEPP Limited offers over 80 vocational courses in 12 occupational areas, and training is conducted in six-month cycles. The Programme is open to eligible persons who are interested in entrepreneurship or acquiring Level I and II (craft and pre-craft) technical vocational training

Youth Development & Apprenticeship Centers
Youth Development and Apprenticeship Centers (YDAC) offer a variety of training programmes for young men and women between the ages of 15 and 17. There are three YDAC’s, located at Chatham, Persto Praesto and El Dorado. Each YDAC offers a two-year residential training program. Participants learn personal development skills, basic literacy and numeracy, and occupational skills such as plumbing, welding, construction carpentry, food preparation, garment construction, small appliances, auto mechanics, computer literacy, sport, culture and agriculture.

The Tobago Youthbuild Programme
The Youthbuild Programme provides free classes to young people that teach useful skills that will help them earn a living and lead more fulfilling and productive lives. Participants enroll in a six-month training programme in attitudinal development, skills training and service learning. Participants receive a daily stipend of TT$50.00 while they are trained in areas such as customer service, anger management, creative expression, sexual and reproductive health, literacy and numeracy.

Most of these training programs can be freely accessed by contacting either the hosting ministry or visiting each administrative office and signing up.

If you are aware of any other government or non government training programs feel free to let me know in the comments