A recruitment exercise for the National Youth Guard was held at the Pinewood Gardens Park on Saturday.

Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis along with the Member of Parliament for Pinewood, the Hon. Myles Laroda and others attended the event.  Mr. Davis spoke with reporters on the sidelines saying, “from what I’m seeing here now tells us that our young people are yearning to be involved in positive things.  We have to stop announcing the thought that they are not interested.  We can see that they are and once there is positive things provided for them they will participate in it.  And so I’m elated, I’m so inspired to see so many young people particularly young men, for example, like Shaquan Ferguson, one of our first graduates from the National Youth Guard Program.”

The Prime Minister thanked Shaquan who was also present at the recruitment exercise.  He said Ferguson “is the prime example  of what we can do once Bahamians see that there’s something positive to do.”

Ferguson advocated for persons to join the National Youth Guard saying, “it’s a good experience, learn new skills, make new friends, get a lot of connections going on to help you further yourself in life.”  Ferguson plans to join the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF).

Chief Petty Officer, Kelsey Missick explained how the National Youth Guard works.  “They’re gonna go to BTVI.  They’re going be to enrolled in office procedure and electrical installation or carpentry and plumbing. We’re going to make them marketable.  We’re gonna make them attractive to employers in the job market.”  Missick said turnout for the recruitment exercise was incredible.  He encourage interested persons to apply quickly.

The National Youth Guard was started by the Davis administration.  It’s  focus is to equip young people with the tools needed to assist the country during national emergencies, such as natural disasters.