PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele says addressing youth unemployment in Solomon Islands requires a multi-pronged or whole-of-government approach.
He made the remarks in Parliament last week after Leader of the Independent Group, Manasseh Maelanga, asked Minister of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Harry Kuma, about measures to tackle the issue.
According to data, around 70 percent of the country’s population is under 35. However, there is no specific data confirming the youth unemployment rate, as the government relies mainly on information from the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) and the national census.
Manele said the government is taking coordinated steps across several ministries to provide training and employment opportunities for young people.
He cited initiatives under the new Education Act and the TVET policy, which aim to expand access to skills training. The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs is also establishing youth centres as learning hubs, while the Ministry of Agriculture continues to support youth engaged in agribusiness through the Youth Entrepreneurs Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI).
“The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has also provided $3 million to YECSI to support youth entrepreneurs in tourism—an outcome of last year’s Economic Summit,” Manele said.
He acknowledged support from development partners and employment opportunities through Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) schemes but noted these are only temporary solutions.
“The real task of creating permanent jobs for our youth lies in investing in productive sectors like agriculture, fisheries, tourism, commerce, and mining,” he said.
Manele added that young people should not be seen as a risk but as an opportunity to drive the nation’s economy and become productive citizens.
By EDDIE OSIFELOSolomon Star, Honiara