Training for unattached youth at renovated Red Hills Skills Centre

THE RED Hills Skills Training Centre in St Andrew has been renovated at a cost of $3 million and will now offer unattached youth four skill-based courses through partnership with the HEART Trust/NTA.

The refurbishing was undertaken through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which provides members of parliament with financial resources to execute approved social and economic programmes within their constituencies.

The four courses that will be offered are electrical installation, webpage design, housekeeping, and customer engagement operation (business process outsourcing).

Member of Parliament for St Andrew West Rural Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, in her remarks at the reopening on Thursday, said the facility would enable young people to receive skills training and certification in order to become employable.

TUITION GRANTS

Cuthbert-Flynn said that 150 students in St Andrew West Rural had benefited from tuition grants to pursue higher education through the CDF.

Acting senior manager of special projects and community training, HEART Trust/NTA, Elizabeth Danvers, said that Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) classes in mathematics and English language would also be offered at the centre.

Based on assessment, students will be encouraged to do another course for their personal development.

“These courses will be offered through the National Unattached Youth Programme. We are looking [at] and anticipating future partnerships, [and] we hope this facility will be fully utilised in the years to come,” Danvers said.

She indicated that orientation for classes would be held on September 11 at the nearby Red Hills Methodist Church and is appealing for unattached youth to attend and register for courses.

Danvers encouraged residents to “spread the word to your friends, persons you see sitting on the street [and] not doing anything. Encourage them to be a part of this wonderful facility”.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn (fourth right), member of parliament, St Andrew West Rural, is assisted by Kedesha Campbell (third right), director, Constituency Development Fund; Councillor Rohan Hall (left), Red Hills Division; and Sandra Goulbourne (second left), parish manager, Social Development Commission, in unveiling the new sign for the renovated Red Hills Skills Training Centre at the official reopening on Thursday. Also sharing in the moment are Custos Rotulorum for the parish of St Andrew Dr Patricia Dunwell (second right); and Janice Lewis, president, Community Development Committee.

Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn (right), member of Parliament, St Andrew West Rural, points out features of a classroom at the renovated Red Hills Skills Training Centre, which was officially opened on Thursday. From left are Dr Patricia Dunwell, custos rotulorum for the parish of St Andrew; Sandra Goulbourne, parish manager, Social Development Commission; Councillor Rohan Hall, Red Hills Division; and Kedesha Campbell, director, Constituency Development Fund.

Custos Rotulorum for the parish of St Andrew Dr Patricia Dunwell (second left); and Kedesha Campbell (second right), director, Constituency Development Fund, look at gadgets that will be used in electrical installation training at the renovated Red Hills Skills Training Centre while Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn (left), member of parliament, St Andrew West Rural, and Sandra Goulbourne, parish manager, Social Development Commission, observe.