New west Kingston skills programme gets under way

Beer company Red Stripe recently launched the latest of its intervention programmes, aimed at providing opportunities for unskilled and unemployed residents of west Kingston.

Project Entrepreneur, with specific focus on design and construction, is the latest under Diageo's Learning For Life platform. The programme provides free tuition for short- to medium-term training in plumbing and tile laying (construction), as well as soft-furnishings and drapery-making (design). This initiative is being done in tandem with the Heart Trust/NTA, which will provide all participants with the necessary training and certification at the end of the programme.

During the launch on November 15, held at the Garmex Heart Academy on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston, 120 eager students uniformly dressed in black pants and white shirts, listened attentively as their minds were opened to the opportunities awaiting them. The event's guest speaker, Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie, represented Prime Minister Bruce Golding and heartily endorsed the programme. He challenged the 120 recruits "to take this opportunity and run with it".

McKenzie said: "Opportunities don't come easily and you are getting an opportunity to do something that will never die. Make this work for you. It is priceless and the only price tag is not asking you to buy more products, not to sing praises to HEART Trust, but to make them proud because of the promise to become special in Jamaica."

In thanking Red Stripe, Andrea Toussaint, manager of the Heart Trust/NTA Garmex Academy, said: "Heart Trust is happy to share your mission and this partnership shows that great synergies are possible when private and public companies work together."

Other local programmes under Diageo's Learning for Life include Project Artist, which provides training and exposure in the entertainment industry; and Project Bartender, which introduces participants to the world of bartending and responsible drinking practices.

There are currently 20,000 people enrolled in the Diageo Learning For Life programmes throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Project Entrepreneur's Design curriculum takes place at the Heart Trust/NTA Garmex Academy and began on November 16 for a duration of 12 weeks. The Construction curriculum began on Monday at the Portmore Heart Academy and will continue for eight weeks.