BNTF spends EC$212 000 on skills training for youth

AFTER ten months of training through a project of the Rural Community Base Skilled Training Programme funded by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), a number of young people were recently presented with their certificates 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 Livestock Rearing, which were done in collaboration with the St. Patrick Organisation for Development (SPOD) and the T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) as the training provider.

This project’s main aim was to provide training to 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.

The successful trainees of the BNTF programme in St. Patrick.

In St. Patrick, the training which cost EC$154 000 began in July 2011 at the TAMCC campus and concluded in May 2012. Upon completion of the training, 42 young persons were successful and were awarded the T.A. Marryshow Certificate of competence in their area of training – 17 were successful in
agro-processing level 1; 15 persons in electrical installation and 10 persons in livestock rearing.

Speaking at the recent graduation ceremony to conclude the project, Prime Minister Tillman Thomas reiterated his administration’s interest in the development of the agricultural sector and described the training as one that can make the participants self-sufficient and self-employed.

“I encourage all of you who have successfully participated in the training to use the skills acquired to become entrepreneurs, self-sufficient and self-employed entrepreneurs,” he said, while congratulating the participants for recognising 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 favourably affecting the country’s 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.

The successful trainees of the Basic Needs Trust Fund’s (BNTF) Rural
Community Base Skilled Training Programme from St. George.

In St. George’s, the training which cost EC$58 000 began November 2011 at the TAMCC campus in Tanteen. The area of training undertaken was Electrical Installation Level 1. The participants completed 45 hours of training in life skills and the following core units of electrical installation: undertake interactive workplace 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 their area of training will also be assessed by the National Training Agency (NTA) 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 centres and skills training.