How You Can Help Young People in Trinidad and Tobago Break the “No Experience, No Job” Cycle

 

I see it in my own home. My children. Bright, qualified, full of drive. Still jobless. They have done everything “right.” Gotten the grades. Finished the degrees. Sent out countless applications. But each time, they hit the same wall: “2 to 3 years of work experience.”

How are they supposed to get experience if no one will give them a chance?

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking. As an educator and a citizen, it is frustrating! And that’s exactly why I’m writing this, not just for my own children, but for every young person in Trinidad and Tobago facing the same dead end.

If you’re a business person or a person of influence reading this, you can be part of the solution.

1. Start With Opportunity, Not Perfection

When you are hiring, take a good look at your job postings. Are you asking for 2–3 years of experience for roles that don’t actually need it?

When you lower that barrier, you open the door for someone who is eager to learn. You help build their confidence and often, you gain a loyal, teachable employee in return.

2. Offer Paid Internships or Apprenticeships

You don’t need a large company to offer a small opportunity. A few weeks of on-the-job training could make all the difference in someone’s future. Internships build skills, but more importantly, they build hope. Offer paid internships or apprenticeships to these young people as a career opportunity.

3. Be a Mentor

You can take one young person under your wing and share the advice you wish someone had given you. A few conversations can turn confusion into clarity. A little guidance can light a long path.

4. Speak Up, Share This, Keep the Conversation Going

Youth unemployment is our issue not just theirs. It affects families, communities, and the future of this nation. When we talk about it, we keep the pressure on systems to change. When we act on it, we build a better future.

Let’s Break the Cycle

You have power whether you’re a hiring manager, business owner, teacher, or community leader. You can choose to be the bridge, not the barrier towards a positive future for these young people. Many of them have stayed to the end, attaining degrees and competent skills. The brick wall must be torn down.

Let’s give our young people in Trinidad and Tobago a real chance to rise.

Share this post to reach the right people to make that change for our youths!