SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG--“Nuts” is how Jorien Wuite, Secretary-General for Education and Youth as well as Parliamentarian hopeful, described the current 26 per cent youth unemployment rate in the country.

“There is no room for complacency anymore, and it’s time to get out of our comfort zone. A lot of opportunities for entrepreneurs, for example in fashion and performing arts, are easily gained,” Wuite said on “Oral Gibbes - Speaking of Everything” show according to a Democratic Party press statement.

The high percentage of youth unemployment “has bothered her for a long time,” said Wuite whose party is in the current governing coalition. The Democratic Party (DP) “believes for a long time that research is to be done into the roots of this problem.”

The country needs “a mixed strategy of education and economy” via reinforcement and access to tertiary education. “That buys a St. Maartener nothing if we have no jobs to put that education to work.”

If elected to Parliament, Wuite wants to address youth employment not only to build on existing institutions such as University of St. Martin (USM) and National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) and small business foundations, but reinforce them by using financial and tax incentives for development of both small business as well as education purposes.

“New laws will require team work, uniting insights and experience. We need to involve business sectors, social partners and government to find the best incentives to strengthen economy and make it grow again,” she said.