Goan Youth Explore Careers and Entrepreneurship at Youth Aspire 2026

MARGAO, AUGUST 18, 2026: Career options, entrepreneurship and practical exposure to businesses took centre stage at Youth Aspire 2026, a career guidance programme organised by the Diocesan Youth Centre (DYC) at the St John Paul II Complex, Margao, on August 9.

The programme brought together 52 young people from across Goa and was organised under the guidance of DYC director Fr Blaise Lobo, animator Sr Loretta and the DEXCO team.

For this year’s programme, DYC partnered with Goa Dimensions, a network of about 60 Goan entrepreneurs, to expose participants to different business models and encourage them to consider entrepreneurship as a career option.

The programme combined interactive sessions, an aptitude assessment and visits to businesses. Among the resource persons were Sheryl Lucia Vas of Eventiva by Sheryl and Jason Andrade of Arrow Enterprises.

Participants were introduced to a range of fields, including financial advisory, real estate, business consultancy, leadership, sustainable products, soap-making, coffee machines and beauty services.

Andrea D'Souza conducted the aptitude test, while financial advisor Russel D’Souza, real estate professional Gabriel Pinto and business consultant Gavin Xavier led sessions on their respective areas.

Leadership mentor Dr Erle Britto, Vanessa Almeida of The Gift House, candle and sustainable-goods entrepreneur Rekha Mendes, soap-maker Esther Mascarenhas, coffee-machine professional Anthony Da Cunha and beautician Elzina Gracias were among other contributors. Twenty additional entrepreneurs from Goa Dimensions also participated.

The programme also included field visits designed to give participants a direct view of business operations. Participants visited a metal detector manufacturing unit in Chicalim led by Sekhar Harikander and QMC Car Workshop in Verna, headed by Evencio Quadros.

By combining aptitude assessment, career guidance, entrepreneurship sessions and field exposure, Youth Aspire 2026 sought to help young people identify their interests and gain a practical understanding of different career and business opportunities.

By Catholic Connect Reporter