A total of 600 students, 300 from St. James and 300 from Hanover, are to benefit under the 2007 National Youth Service (NYS) Summer Employment Programme.

The recruitment and orientation process within the region has been completed, with the next step being the placement of the beneficiaries in a working environment for a three-week period, for which they will be remunerated.

The programme is aimed at assisting needy high school and tertiary level students in raising funds through summer employment, to assist in their back-to-school expenses.

According to corporate services manager for the NYS in St. James and Hanover, Omar Steer, applications were received from over 1,200 young persons, but limited resources have restricted the employment of all the applicants. He said that it is hoped that over time, the programme will be expanded to include all applicants.

- JIS