“This is only the beginning of the training programmes that we have for young people on the island and we are hoping that it will help to create a pool of very good workers and it will also help to lessen some of the problems we have with delinquenc
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Minister of Social Transformation on Nevis Hon. Hensley Daniel
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y and crime,” Mr. Parry said.
He indicated that, that level of training would foster community leaders and enhance the development of the construction industry.
Minister of Social Transformation Hon. Hensley Daniel, said the NIA sponsored training programme demonstrated the Administration’s commitment to empower local people through skills development and entrepreneurship.
“This is a landmark project. It is a landmark decision, it is the first group of people in such large number to connect in skills and we said in opposition that we are committed to training because whatever happens, the skills that you have cannot be taken from you.
“I have said repeatedly that if we are going to remain on the cutting edge of development, we have to train our young people and it is no easy decision to commit over $150,000 to the training of a group of young men and women.
“I want to underscore the point that while we do this, we are ensuring that we build a social safety net as it were for our young men because with skills they would be empowered, energized and their level of self esteem will be raised and would not feel the need to proceed down the road to crime and violence.” he said.
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Some of the Nevisian youths during an orientation session with Premier Hon. Joseph Parry and Minister of Social Transformation Hon. Hensley Daniel prior to an upcoming three month training exercise in Trinidad
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He also said the NRP-led Administration had embarked on spending the public’s money on education and training and referred to the cost absorbed by the government per person for the course.
Mr. Daniel further stated there were over 100 young persons in pursuit of academic degrees at regional and international colleges and universities that amounted to a high number of academic and technical training funded by the NIA. He indicated that the Administration had embarked on education and training for young people consistent with the demographics of Nevis.
“It is very important for the parents and family members of these young people to see that we are reaching out across the entire country. There are persons selected from every parish in Nevis and so we say to them to make the best use of what is available. We say to them we are depending on them to make this a model course so that other people in Nevis can benefit,” he said.
The Minister further spoke to two additional programmes that would benefit the young people of Nevis through the provision of a range of skills and thereby create a safeguard against underdevelopment.
“The second type of training will be Supervisory Management in the construction and allied industries and that programme is going to be done here where they will bring in the instructors and we will have the people here being trained. Then, we are going to have another course called Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, where the intention is to certify persons who have been involved in the various skills. ~~Adz:Right~~
“I want the public to understand that this is an imaginative programme coming from your government, the government of the NRP, which underscore the point that the only way we can lift people off the floor and create a safeguard against underdevelopment, is through the provision of a wide range of skills,” he said.
Mr. Daniel referred to the 2001 Poverty Survey, as having been the premise for the NIA’s action to transmit to the people of Nevis a full range of skills that would also safeguard against poverty.
He indicated that the young men were excited about the training and the government ensured a proper transition from living in Nevis to Trinidad.
“We believe we have the right kind of partners. We have negotiated in good faith and we have demonstrated a strong commitment to training and it is in that context, that MCI is prepared to meet us half the way and is prepared to facilitate us. I want to thank the young men for their interest. I want to thank their families for their support and we look forward to a successful course in Trinidad,” Mr. Daniel said
Meantime, Mr. Hector advised the young men to avoid problems with the law and to travel in groups during the three-month training period in Trinidad.
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