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Participation in the Ministry of Youth Development and National Services’ Project Trends program has increased by 300% since its inception in 2022.
The project also moved to introduce additional sales and marketing courses for students this year.
This program is offered in conjunction with CTS College of Business and Computer Science Ltd (CTSCBCS). Project Trending 2024 was launched on May 15 at the Radisson Hotel in Port of Spain. Through this initiative, his 400 people, ranging from the age of 18 to his 35 years, will receive training in social media management, sales and marketing.
Bevbin Forde, Project Leader of the Project Trending Programme, said the aim of the project was to help participants gain a deeper understanding of the social media landscape and use the platform to market themselves, their brands and their businesses. He said the purpose was to learn how to do it.
He said 200 people are currently enrolled in the social media management course and another 200 are enrolled in the sales and marketing course. Both courses are offered virtually.
CTSCBCS CEO Suruj Ragoonath said the project has grown significantly over the past few years.
“In 2022, just over 100 people participated in the first program to do social media management. And in 2022, we will have just over 120. This year, the program has grown significantly.
“What is so commendable is not that the numbers are growing, but that the offering is growing. For the first two years, the only course offered was social media management. Sales and marketing provided.
He said the sales and marketing course is a valuable addition because it helps participants turn their social media presence into actual sales.
“Social media is so important to us in terms of creating initial awareness and interest. But how do you create that awareness and interest? Do you want to move those people to action? It creates a desire to be purchased.
“So it’s really important to move the program away from the social media side, where awareness and interest is created, and then move the user into action and actually make a purchase.”
Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service, gave a featured speech at the presentation. He said the project is part of the government's plan to provide young people with the skills they need to help them develop their businesses.
“This program is not just a response to a post-pandemic world, but a strategic move to thrive in it. It emphasizes that skills play an essential role.
“In line with project trends, we aim to not only keep up, but to lead, innovate and transform the economic landscape of Trinidad and Tobago, and the entire Caribbean region. Our commitment is to empower you to not only navigate, but shape your digital future.”