15 inner city youth complete welding training

Jesus Orús Bàguena, head of the EU delegation, presents the award for the most outstanding student to Roshane Garcie, while other students look on.

FIVE inner-city communities in Kingston are celebrating the accomplishments of 15 of their young residents, now proud holders of certification in welding from the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and HEART Trust under the European Union's (EU) Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP).

Under the Reforming Youth Through Education project, the youth, aged 16-24, were specially chosen based mainly on aptitude and attitude, to receive both welding training and life skills under the Jamaica Social INVESTMENT Fund-managed programme.

Contributions in kind of machinery, equipment and furniture were provided by Operation Friendship.

The participants were drawn from Greenwich Town, Majesty Gardens, Whitfield Town, Rose Town and Arnett Gardens, communities characterised by high levels of illiteracy and youth crime and violence as well as inadequate infrastructure, poor road and sanitation conditions.

The decision to focus on welding was a collaborative one with prospective trainees expressing the wish to be formally trained in the craft, since some already had practical experience and felt that certification in this area held great potential for employment and entrepreneurship. Now, they can make chairs and security grilles, among other things.

In his address at the recent graduation ceremony, Jesus Orús Bàguena, head of delegation, EU, outlined that this project symbolises hope for people seeking to increase their employability in uncertain economic times.

He said the EU endeavours to foster its relationship with Jamaica, and improve the efficiency and efficacy of the development cooperation.

With certification from the accredited local institutions, the young people are more rounded following training in conflict management and drug education by the Dispute Resolution Foundation and Drug Abuse Secretariat respectively under the programme.

The project had a total cost of $1.8 million