Commissioner responsible for Labour & Youth Affairs Louie Laveist, says the Island Government is working diligently on equipping people to create employment.
Laveist says he recognizes the global economic and financial challenges currently ongoing, but that the nation must not be deterred in moving forward.
"St. Maarten as an island nation is part of the global community of nations. There is a sea of change taking place at the moment across the globe and for some countries it is having disastrous consequences with respect to people loosing their jobs.
"For us here, we need to ensure that our workforce is taken care of. We are a resilient people who are not afraid of challenges and we take them head on.
"The creation of the Secondary Vocational Education (SBO/SVE) Service Center to coordinate and support the accreditation process and organization of SBO courses for young people is one avenue in equipping our people to join the work force.
"These persons are being taught the necessary skills that are in demand within the economy. Government is responding and meeting those demands of the labour market therefore instilling confidence for the future," Commissioner of Labour & Youth Louie Laveist told the Government Information Service (GIS).