WILLEMSTAD – Twelve young people have successfully completed the second phase of the “Un Komienso Nobo” program and received their certificates, marking the end of a training pathway focused on personal development and preparation for the labor market.
After completing an initial social development phase, the participants entered a work-and-learning track under the guidance of implementing organization Gwen Inspires & Co. During this second phase, the youths received intensive personal coaching and practical training tailored to their individual abilities and employment prospects.
The first phase of the program falls under the responsibility of the Dutch Ministry of Defence and serves as the foundation of the trajectory. Although the phase has a military framework, it is not intended as military training. Instead, participants are trained in discipline, structure, self-respect and responsibility, while also working on physical fitness and mental resilience. Practical skills such as teamwork, communication and job application techniques are also emphasized.
The program is primarily aimed at young people who have dropped out of school early or face limited prospects in the labor market or further education. It is carried out in close cooperation with the Curaçao government, Curaçao-based military personnel and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
“Un Komienso Nobo” forms part of the broader reform agreements between Curaçao and the Netherlands under the Landspakket. Within the theme of social development, several ministries are involved, including those responsible for Justice, Social Development, Labor and Welfare, Education, and the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
According to the organizers, the certificates awarded serve as proof that participants completed the program with perseverance and discipline. Meanwhile, a new group of female participants is currently engaged in the work-and-learning phase, and another group is set to begin the first phase of the program in early March. Registration has also opened for a new cohort scheduled to start in August.