After ten months of training through a project of the Rural Community Base Skilled Training Program funded by the Basic Needs Trust Fund, a number young people were recently presented with certificate of completion in three areas that not only made them marketable but created the foundation for self employment.
The training areas were, Electrical Installation, Agro Processing and Live Stock Rearing which was done in collaboration with the St Patrick Organization for Development (SPOD) and the T A Marryshow Community College as the training provider.
This project main aim were to provide training to sixty (60) young persons from the parishes of St George’s, St Patrick and St Mark in three different areas in both the practical exercise and theoretical session.
In St Patrick, the training began in July 2011 at the T.A.M.C.C Campus in St Patrick and concluded in May 2012. Upon completion of the training forty two young persons were successful and were awarded the T.A Marryshow Certificate of competence in their area of training; .Seventeen were successful in Agro Processing level 1; fifteen persons in electrical installation and ten persons in Livestock Rearing .
All participants that have been successful in their area of training will also be assessed by the National Training Agency (NTA) to be awarded the National Vocational Qualification certificate.
Speaking at the recent graduation ceremony to conclude the project Prime Minister Tillman Thomas reiterated his administration interest in the development of the agricultural sector and described the training as one that can make the participants self sufficient and self employment.
“I encouraged all of you who have successfully participate in the training to use the skills acquired to become entrepreneurs, self sufficient and self employed entrepreneurs,” he said while congratulating the participants for recognizing the need to formally learn the skills. “Rearing animals can result in good financial rewards,” he said.
Benny Langaigne of the GRENCODA who spoke at the ceremony said that economically the training is expected to have significant impact on the employability of the participants thus favorably affecting the country current unemployment status. “The standard of living and the quality of life of the participants will be improved and will reflect positively on unemployment. The amount of skilled persons in that field will increase and the quality of work produced by these participants will improve,” he said.
In St George’s the training began November 2011 at the T.A.M.C.C campus Tanteen St.George’s. The area of training undertaken was Electrical Installation level 1. The participants completed forty five hours training in life skills and the following core units of Electrical installation; undertaken interactive work place communication, follow principles of occupational health and safety (OH&S) in work environment, plan to undertake a routine task, use graduated measuring devices, mark off/out (general engineering), draw and interpret sketches and simple drawings, perform manual handling and lifting and operate in an autonomous team environment.
The training was done in collaboration with the River Road Darbeau Development Committee Basic Needs trust Fund and T.A Marryshow Community College as the training provider.
All participants who have been successful in this training will also be assessed by the National Training Agency and will be awarded the National Vocational Qualification Certificate.
The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) is a Programme promoting poverty reduction through socio-economic initiatives and community empowerment. The Programme provides the means or infrastructure for direct delivery of basic public services to poor communities and its method of implementation allows for a more socially inclusive development process. Sub-project activity includes provision of water systems, schools, health facilities, rural roads, drains and footpaths, market infrastructure and day-care centers and skills training.
