National Skills Training honours directors

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING its graduation ceremony held on December 3, the National Skills Training Programme has officially honoured five of its past directors and business partners in recognition of their contributions to the institution during its 22 years of operation.

Vincent Inniss, the first director of the programme, and Dr. Ervin Sweeney, his successor, were acknowledged for their hard work in not only ensuring that the foundation of the institution was built but also for increasing the retention rates of the programmes. 

Michael Trotman and Annette Manners received recognition for their outstanding leadership in establishing linkages with the private sector and developing a structured curriculum. Organization of American States (OAS) Representative Starret Greene also received an award for his organization’s financial contribution since the programme’s inception.

Current Director of National Skills Training Programme Fritzroy Wilkin told SKNVibes that the programme has evolved greatly over the past decades and attributed the success to the work of past and present directors and facilitators.

“The past directors have helped in the development of a number of very important programmes that can be realistically applied to support the economy. The fact that they stuck to it and were determined not to give up amidst the many challenges says it all.  ~~Adz:Right~~

“We at this institution cannot possibly word our appreciation for the past directors’ contributions to this project. They have made sterling contributions in the lives of many through educational and economic changes and challenges. Their work in nation building has paved the way to allow for the transition from a youth skills training programme to a national skills training programme. It is upon the foundation that they have constructed during their tenures I build.”

Wilkin informed that the institution is now expanding from functioning as a youth skills to a national skills training centre, and said the previous directors have provided a start through the programmes and structure that they built.

“It is a new vision; we recognize that it will take some time to come to fruition. We are currently assessing the rules and regulations of the institution. It is a challenge as we attempt to educate the public, informing them of the countless opportunities that can be found through this skills training.”

Wilkin said the project has seen a lot of success in relation to its main objectives. He noted that although the institution has a lot more work to do in educating the public, he is pleased with the large number of participants who have become empowered enough to obtain and keep a job.