Young people in the parish of St Catherine now have access to a complex housing Youth Information Centre (YIC) and the National Youth Service (NYS), 42 Young Street, Spanish Town.

The doors were officially opened, June 12, to offer services such as career guidance, professional development, interactive sessions, communication technology and other programmes offered by the Ministry of Youth and Culture.

In her address at the ceremony, portfolio minister, Lisa Hanna, said the centre is important to youth in the parish as it has the second-largest number of unattached young males, and its operation will "ensure that we give opportunities to young people to grow".

She noted that information on how to set up businesses, access scholarships and other programmes across ministries, for which the Government has budgeted more than $189 billion, are available and young people should seize the opportunities to gain marketable skills.

Minister Hanna explained that YIC and the NYS are institutions to channel the youth in the right direction.

"If you come here, this centre can guide you to where you want to go," the minister told the audience.

Member of parliament for Central St Catherine, Olivia Grange, said the complex housing the YIC and the NYS is the first phase of a larger project to make the location a prime site that citizens can use for information-development purposes.

"For this entire complex, there is a complete design for recording studio, community radio station, crafts shops, artisan shops and a facility where the community can come for meetings," she said.

The establishment of the St Catherine YIC and NYS offices bring the number of such facilities to 11 across the island.

The offices were constructed through a loan secured by the Government from the Inter-American Development Bank.