Street charity Youth on the Move wants to help deliver a training programme aimed at getting vulnerable young people into jobs.The group, which assisted Columbia University’s recent study into young black males, says it has the experience and knowledge to implement the Job Corps vocational initiative announced by Government last month.Director Chae Powell and president Carlton Simmons told The Royal Gazette Job Corps mirrors the job readiness programme it’s been using to help people under 40 find work.They said Government often asks for Youth on the Move for advice on gang-related matters, and the charity deserves to be involved when contracts are handed out to try to resolve the issue.“We have identified why people aren’t getting jobs and we have been advocating the programme to help them,” said Mr Simmons.“We were on the front row of the findings for the black males study. We just want to be a part of the solution.“There’s a huge need for this programme. Let’s use what we have and use the people who have already shown dedication to solving the problem.“We have been doing this for free; we should be able to take advantage of any funding into initiatives like this. We are the next generation of leaders. If we can’t get in now, who’s going to be responsible?”Jobs Corps, which was recommended in the 2009 Mincy Report, is a free programme providing education and training to 16- to 24-year-olds, helping them learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED and find and keep a job.Premier Paula Cox has said she’s interested in bringing it to Bermuda.Youth on the Move’s job readiness programme, which launched earlier this year, attempts to equip young people with the skills and knowledge many are currently lacking.It includes workshops, advice, grammar and comprehension tests, career guidance, mock interviews and work shadowing opportunities.Mr Simmons said: “Bermuda used to be a place where you can get a job through word-of-mouth. But with technology and an influx of workers the job market is more competitive.“We see people who have had three or four jobs but never had to conduct a proper interview. A lot of it is to do with the way they dress, speak or present information.“Our objective is to create a national programme and national standard that every employer looks for. We want to deliver that.”Mr Powell said Youth on the Move is well-placed to help the Job Corps programme, saying: “There’s a huge disconnect between the old and young generation.“They need people on the ground who can speak both languages as well as being able to come into a professional space. This is an opportunity for us in Bermuda to use Bermudians to help the Island.”Earlier this week Columbia scientist Monique Keyser said her research with young black male wall-sitters showed they’re not getting enough support in the classroom, prompting many of them to drop out of school before they reach 16.Dr Keyser said Youth on the Move and the Hustle Truck had helped line up her team’s lengthy interviews with 22 young wall-sitters.Useful websites: www.yombermuda.com