Inner-City Youth Being Trained in Animation

Seventeen young people from several inner-city communities island-wide are being given an opportunity to gain skills in animation as part of efforts to capitalise on the lucrative US$200 billion industry.

The cohort, aged 17 to 35 years of age are participating in the $9 million Alternative Livelihoods and Skills Development Animation Project, which is being funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

Currently, 15 participants study at the Girls’ Town Professional Development Institute (PDI) located at Maxfield Park, while the others are honing their skills at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) CARIMAC Western Campus in Montego Bay.

Speaking at the launch of the programme on September 26 at the Girls’ Town facility, General Manager at JSIF, Andrew Neita, said the training will allow participants to be qualified for a spectrum of animation services such as character design, background, and other illustrations to storyboarding, digital paint, compositing and post-production work.

“Animation is an innovative and exciting area for JSIF. We support skills sets that are in demand and will give young persons a chance to improve their lives. JSIF is impressed with the fact that the training will equip these students with skills in a short time that will make them immediately employable in the animation industry,” he said.

He urged the participants to make the best use of the opportunity being presented to them. “Continue to work hard  so that you can make a change not only in your lives but also in your communities and subsequently in your country,” he said.

GSW Reel Rock Animations is a partner in the training project, and the company’s Executive Director, Wayne Sinclair, said the undertaking will increase Jamaicans’ prospects of filling the gaps in the industry, while positioning them to take advantage of the opportunities, which exist in the sector.

Coordinator/Principal Professional Development Institute, Percival Palmer, said the programme offers tremendous prospects for the youth of the country, urging them to not only prepare for jobs, but also to establish their own successful animation businesses.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the participants, Reginald Henclewood said they are appreciative of the training.  He pledged that they will use the materials provided to develop their skills and surpass the expectations of all.

The project is being funded by the Japanese Social Development Fund, which is administered by the World Bank through JSIF.

It targets communities in the Inner City Basic Services Project such as Passmore Town, Jones Town, Federal Gardens, Whitfield Town, Lauriston, Central Village and Flankers.