Lisa-Anne M. Knowles
Career Writer

There is always a thin line between what is said and what really translates into a meaningful gesture. There are so many instances of help and support given out to our youth.

There are a lot of corporates who would paint a wall of a high school. In the end they spend more in promoting that act than what was spent for the paint and the volunteer services.

Tangible assistance
But the assistance should extend beyond the one off painting and fixing up of structures. How many of our young people are being given opportunities to prove their worth?

There are so many young persons capable of excellent work and who have integrity, are turned down because they don't have the requisite three to five years experience or they don't have the right 'contacts' to get their foot in the door of local companies.

What message are we sending across to our youth?
When we are growing up we are taught to share. The question is how many companies are willing to go the extra mile to 'share' their profits, which is imperative for the next generation.

Encounter frustration
There have been so many instances, where freshers do not get a response to their applications. The question is if they are not given a chance, how will they gain experience?

Many of these young people only want a chance to prove themselves. It is time to address this critical issue, and start thinking about the next generation.

Give a chance
We should remember that we were giving a chance when we had a chance when we were starting out. In the new year, hire a young graduate who has potential but hasn't had the chance to develop it.

Help an 'A' student with the finances to take all the CXCs his/her teachers believe he/she is capable of excelling in, or even call us to see how you can help a student achieve an international workplace credential. Some of us need to mentor a young person to do our job.

For others who are retired, and are being called back into the workforce; they should ensure that a gifted unemployed person is also hired for them to mentor. That way they can take the organisation to the next level.

Give a gift this season that will last a lifetime, give young people the chance to prove themselves.

Do it not for publicity, but so that you can feel good about helping someone achieve their goals, just as you achieved yours. Help a young person to have a blessed festive season and a job in the New Year.

Lisa-Anne M. Knowles is the President of QOHC a people and business development company. For more information on psychometric assessments or people and business development services in general, you may email QOHC at admin@qohconsultancy.com, call 620-9056 OR 791-8188; or visit their office at 59 Knutsford Boulevard , Kingston 5. Website:www.qohconsultancy.com