A bad attitude is reportedly the reason many young employees lose their jobs in The Bahamas.

Citing information he said was obtained directly from employers throughout the country, Labour Minister Shane Gibson noted that this is the primary reason participants of the National Training Agency (NTA) are taken through a mandatory Workshop Preparation Programme.

“We are trying to get the workforce prepared for the many jobs that are expected to come on stream and those that have already,” he said.

“We’ve recognised for some time that one of the greatest challenges facing our young people is their inability to obtain jobs because of the basic training needed in order to qualify themselves for these jobs.”

The NTA was established in August 2013.

The agency is charged with training people between the ages of 18 and 25 who are considered most at risk in terms of finding suitable employment. The age range has since been extended.

According to Minister Gibson, the government has already seen the benefits of the training programme. More than 100 young people have reportedly found jobs.

“We’ve partnered with quite a number of the employers who have supported our efforts. As you are aware, we had our first graduation this past January where we had around 450 people,” he said. “We have since launched in Grand Bahama. We have already identified persons in Abaco, Exuma and Andros. We intend to launch in these areas in the next couple months.”

“The important thing about this initiative is that it is supported by employers and employees; organisations that are both stakeholders and partners every step along the way.”

Former parliamentarian, Pierre Dupuch has been appointed the NTA’s chairman.

The Board held its first meeting last week.

“He’s already coming up with some initiatives,” Minister Gibson added. “We look forward to going on with this programme and as we build on it, we will expand it.”