Training of Young Persons in South East St. Andrew

Training programmes targeting young persons have been introduced in South East St. Andrew, in a bid to empower them to become more productive citizens.

The two programmes will focus on basic introduction to animation, and capitalising on legitimate business opportunities available on the internet.

Member of Parliament for the area and Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, has informed that in the animation component of the programme, partnerships will be undertaken with ToonBoom to train a cohort of 20 persons, adding that there are numerous opportunities within the lucrative global animation industry, estimated to be worth US$200 billion.

“There are also a plethora of services that you can offer online and you can actually bid for particular work and you get paid in US dollars. So, that is something that we are introducing,” he said.

The State Minister noted that the Lottery Scam is an example of creativity gone wrong, pointing out that this programme will introduce persons to other ways in which they can make money online.

Mr. Robinson said the community access points (CAPs) will be utilised in this undertaking, noting that there are three such facilities at the Jacques Road Community Centre; McGregor Gardens Community Centre, and on Deanery Road in the constituency.

The community access point programme is funded by the Universal Service Fund (USF).

Mr. Robinson said the initiatives will also engage persons to become productive online when they are using the computers at the community access points.

“One of the problems that we have with the community access point is that many of the persons who use it tend to go online to check emails or engage in social media, which is fine, but we want to take it a step further where people can actually use the community access points in a productivity way, which can help them to empower themselves,” he said.

Highlighting other educational initiatives being undertaken in the constituency, Mr. Robinson informed that summer programmes valued at $3 million are held annually in eight communities across the constituency for over 100 children ranging from age four to young teenagers.

He pointed out that the programme is being undertaken to avoid regression as well as engaging the children in creative activities during the summer period.

“We have introduced in the last year a pre and post test assessment. We also introduced last year, a GSAT software programme, which allowed students who are preparing for GSAT to go online and do their mock exams,” he said.

The programme, which has a common curriculum, is funded through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and is assisted by the National Youth Service (NYS) with the provision of summer workers.

Mr. Robinson said a private sector company has donated 10 tablet computers to be used for a programme in Nannyville, particularly for young boys. Additionally, he said through partnership with the International University of the Caribbean, an enrichment afterschool programme is in place at Swallowfield.