Senator Cummings criticizes closure of youth development programs

Opposition Senator Foster Cummings has accused the government of dismantling essential youth development and training programs, thereby removing critical pathways to employment and self-employment. Speaking at a People’s National Movement media conference, the former Minister of Youth Development and National Service identified several discontinued initiatives, including the Civilian Conservation Corps, Military-Led Academic Training (MiLAT), and Project DRIVE.

Other programs cited as being shut down include the youth agricultural homestead program, Project Trending, the National Leadership Training Programme, and various vocational training tracks for heavy-equipment operation, drilling, and industrial mechanics. Cummings specifically highlighted the loss of mentorship and residential programs designed for young men from at-risk communities.

Addressing criticisms regarding a reported 35 percent success rate for certain residential programs, Cummings argued that the metric overlooks the preventative value of the initiatives, stating that successful participants are individuals steered away from gang recruitment and toward productive lives. He criticized Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts for failing to provide a replacement strategy for these services during budget debates.