LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Youth unemployment in Honiara unemployment in Honiara

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Youth unemployment in Honiara

Dear Editor– I appreciate the opportunity to voice my concerns regarding the alarming increase in unemployment among youth in Honiara. As with many developing nations, our city is grappling with soaring rates of youth unemployment and underemployment, which poses significant challenges to our community and may precipitate undesirable social repercussions.

As a student and concerned young citizen, I fear that without decisive action, this trend will only exacerbate in the future. Several factors contribute to this predicament, including the scarcity of job opportunities, inadequate access to education, urban migration, and a mismatch between the skills possessed by youth and the demands of available employment opportunities. Sadly, many youths are compelled to settle for unskilled labor, such as becoming bus conductors, drivers, or working in barber shops.

Despite these formidable challenges, there exist viable alternatives aimed at mitigating these issues. One such solution involves expanding vocational programs with reduced tuition fees to ensure accessibility for all. Furthermore, there is a pressing need to stimulate job creation, particularly in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and small-scale enterprises within the public sector.

I implore the newly formed government not to overlook the plight of our youth in its development agenda. We exercised our democratic rights during the recent elections, entrusting our leaders to address the pressing issues confronting our generation. It is my fervent hope that you will prioritize youth employment in your policies and initiatives, thereby fostering a brighter future for all residents of Honiara.

Rockson Urabana

USP Student