Our History
The Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) Limited was established in response to a national commitment to empower the youth of Trinidad and Tobago through skills development, confidence-building, and opportunities.
The Beginning
YTEPP began as a pilot project in 1988, developed as a national response to the growing challenge of unemployed and unemployable youth. At that time, thousands of young people were leaving the school system without the qualifications or experience needed to access meaningful work. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, with assistance from the World Bank, introduced YTEPP as a temporary programme designed to bridge that gap and prepare youth—between the ages of 15 and 25 years—for the world of work.
Training was holistic, covering four key areas:
Attitudinal Development/Life Skills– instilling discipline, responsibility, and work ethic.
Vocational Skills Training – providing hands-on, industry-relevant skills.
Work Experience – giving participants exposure to real working environments and practical experience.
Post-Training Support – assisting with job placement and entrepreneurial development.
The results were immediate and transformative. Thousands of young people, once considered unemployable, began to develop self-confidence, life skills, and new career paths. The programme’s impact was so significant that what was once temporary became permanent.
Growth and National Impact
Following its early success, YTEPP transitioned from a short-term project into a 100% state-owned institution charged with delivering technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to citizens across Trinidad and Tobago.
Since its inception, YTEPP has trained over 180,000 nationals, positively impacting lives across every sector—from construction, beauty therapy, fashion design, and culinary arts to ICT, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries.
The programmes evolved to meet national development priorities, incorporating new areas such as
Digital Skills and Entrepreneurial Training.
Career and Enterprise Development.
Retraining for Retrenched, Incarcerated, and Displaced Workers.
- Community-Based and Mobile Training Units.
Industry-Aligned Certification (NTA, CVQ, and TTNVQ Courses).