Australia recognises that young people can make a critical contribution to the future development and stability of Caribbean communities. Youth Uplift Through Employment (YUTE) is a Jamaican program designed to address the growing disenchantment of Jamaica's youth. It is implemented by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica with support from private companies, AusAID and others. The program increases young people's skills through training and internships, and provides employment opportunities through close links built with community groups and public and private sector organisations. Since the program commenced in May 2011, 505 youth (57 per cent women) have been actively engaged, 244 mentors (78 per cent women) actively supported in learning, and 314 youth have gained work experience–of which 85 secured permanent employment and 66 gained internships of up to nine months. These changes occurred in a context of more than 30 per cent youth employment.
Australia has a long history of helping countries overcome their challenges and have brought that understanding to our newer aid programs in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. Australia is the largest donor to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and we are committed to working in partnership with small island developing states to address their economic and environmental vulnerabilities and create lasting economic opportunities. Jamaica is a SIDS. Other SIDS in the Caribbean are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.