CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE second batch of trainees selected by the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) to attend the Metal Industries Company Ltd. Training School in Trinidad and Tobago will depart the island tomorrow (Sept. 25).
The 20 young men, chosen from every parish on Nevis, will be pursuing courses in electrical plumbing, automotive technology, welding, and carpentry and masonry. They will be following in the footsteps of the 17 who went over in May 2008.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Social Development, Hon. Hensley Daniel met with the trainees on Tuesday at the Administration Conference Room in Charlestown, where he urged them to make the most of a “great opportunity”. He said the NIA has invested a “tidy sum” in the project and believes it is a worthwhile investment.
“Lots of other countries would love to do what we are doing but they cannot, because they are cutting back on spending on young people.”
Minister Daniel also said the NIA is committed to sending at least one batch of students per year but could send more in better economic times.
He pointed out that the programme is not an accident but a strategic intervention that has everything to do with the development of young people and “creating a new kind of mind in a new kind of Nevis, and creating a new platform for the development of young people”.
The Minister explained that government had the option to bring the training to Nevis but decided it would be better for the young trainees to experience another culture, working in an environment where technology is developed.
While pointing out that the trainees were carefully selected people from all five parishes, Minister Daniel said he expects them to return and help deal with the growing anti-social behaviour on the island.
The Minister also said the NIA is using training programmes to end dependency.
“We are empowering you, putting the skills at your disposal. At the end of the day you will decide how much money goes in your pocket.”
Legal Advisor in the NIA Patrice Nisbett also addressed the trainees saying the governing Nevis Reformation Party has always been people-focused in all its programmes. He said this is so because the party believes that in order for a country to develop, the people must first be developed and young people could more readily do so through education and training.
“We have changed the paradigm in this country and the new mantra is ‘education and training’.”
Also present was MIC’s Training Coordinator Dean Smart, who urged the trainees not to take the intervention by the NIA lightly since the training would prepare them for future leadership of the country.
Among the others present were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development Alstead Pemberton, who will travel to Trinidad with the trainees, and three members of the previous batch who briefly shared their experiences.
The trainees are Ryan Walters, Seshan Morton, Akeem Taylor, Jadell Ward, Hassani Bryant, Jacel Allen, Ashley Freeman, Recaldo Parry, Curtis Hanley, Antonio Browne, Diewant Phillip, Adgell Jeffers, Brian Wallace, Howard Johnson, Glenroy Sturge, Laughton Mills, Marcell Mills, Lesroy Claxton, Evanson Smith and Imrhan Springette.
