Prime Minister James Marape, has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing tangible opportunities for youth empowerment through education, overseas employment, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). At a press conference held at the APEC Terminal in Port Moresby city after returning from his New Zealand trip on Friday, Prime Minister Marape highlighted his government’s efforts to build clear pathways for youth engagement and development, acknowledging that many young people across Papua New Guinea (PNG) face unemployment or lack access to formal education. “For the first time since 1975, my government is taking the issue of youth employment seriously. We have established new pathways for education and work, including flexible open distance education and strategic partnerships with countries like Australia and New Zealand,” Prime Minister Marape stated. He highlighted the success of the New Zealand workforce scheme, which has provided employment opportunities for Papua New Guinean youths earning up to K52,000 annually. Prime Minister Marape encouraged young people to actively pursue such opportunities. “The solution to unemployment is not solely about finding paid jobs. It’s about creating your own opportunities. We want our young people to understand the pathways that exist for them to progress and succeed,” he emphasized. The Prime Minister also outlined his government’s commitment to developing SMEs in various sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, and other essential industries. He underscored the importance of education by mandating all schools, colleges, and universities to include basic business skills in their curricula to prepare students for entrepreneurship. “From agriculture to fisheries to urban enterprises, SMEs are critical pathways for youth empowerment. We are working to simplify lending processes and improve access to capital, making it easier for young entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses,” he said. Prime Minister Marape also recognized the role of sports as a viable career path, citing PNG’s interest in participating in the NRL. “Sport is a growing industry that offers promising career pathways for our youth, and we are committed to supporting their potential in this area,” he added. Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) programme as a significant pathway for youth empowerment. He also extended commendations to private sector entities and government agencies actively participating in youth empowerment initiatives such as National Youth Resource Week 2025. He acknowledged that many youths have been running around not knowing where to go after exiting school at various stages, which is why his government has been establishing clear pathways for them. In the last five years, the government has focused on providing pathways to return to school through FODE, SME encouragement, employment opportunities under initiatives like the Connect PNG programme, and overseas employment through labour mobility schemes. Prime Minister Marape highlighted that over 30,000 youths have been engaged through the Connect PNG programme, contributing to the economy with many becoming members of national superannuation funds like Nasfund and Nambawan Super, with record new members in the last two years. He summarized these pathways; education, SME participation, employment opportunities in-country and abroad, and sports, as viable career options. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his view that employment is not only about finding fixed jobs but also about being productively engaged in various sectors to progress and improve their lives. FODE offers school dropouts an opportunity to matriculate back and complete Year 12, providing them with a recognized certificate that opens doors to higher education at colleges or universities. This initiative, according to Prime Minister Marape, is aimed at ensuring that no young person is left behind due to barriers to formal education. “Our youths deserve every opportunity to better themselves and contribute positively to our country’s future. This government is committed to providing those opportunities and supporting them to reach their full potential,” Prime Minister Marape said.