SDC Fair Connects Seaview Gardens Youth with Jobs, Training Opportunities

Scores of young people in Seaview Gardens, St. Andrew, benefited from a Youth Empowerment Fair hosted by the Social Development Commission (SDC), aimed at linking them with employment, training and certification pathways.

Held recently at the Seaview Gardens Primary School, the initiative brought together several government agencies and private-sector entities to provide on-the-spot career guidance, programme registration and recruitment opportunities.

SDC Parish Manager for Kingston and St. Andrew, Wade Brown, told JIS News the fair was designed to respond directly to needs identified by the community.

“We want to connect youth with opportunities, education and training. We want to facilitate employment and opportunities for certification, because many young people have skills, but they don’t have the certification,” he pointed out.

Mr. Brown noted that surveys and community priority planning exercises conducted by the SDC consistently highlighted youth access to opportunity as a pressing concern in Seaview Gardens.

“Seaview Gardens… has a very young and dynamic population… and youth access to opportunity is one of the most critical, data-backed issues identified by the community itself,” he said, adding that targeted interventions are essential to strengthening youth development and social stability.

Among the participating agencies was the HEART/NSTA Trust, which provided information on programmes available.

Director of Community Engagement, HEART/NSTA Trust, Ronique Rhoden, described the SDC initiative as timely and impactful.

“We’re always happy to be in the communities with SDC. It’s something that our young people need and communities in general need… . We’ve seen the residents coming out early, ready and engaged, signing up for our programmes and services,” she told JIS News.

The Trust highlighted training opportunities in robotics, drone technology, mechatronics and renewable energy, while also facilitating on-site registration.

Ms. Roden pointed out that several programmes are offered free of cost up to the associate degree level, with some providing stipends.

She also promoted the Prior Learning Assessment, which allows individuals with existing skills but no formal certification to be assessed and certified.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Marine Division was also present, providing information on recruitment and youth engagement initiatives, including its Sea Core Cadet programme for youngsters aged 13 to 18.

Corporal Derrick Donalds told JIS News that direct engagement in communities helps to sensitise young people about career options and disaster response training. Interested persons may contact the Marine Divisional Headquarters (876-948-1778) for more information.

Private entities such as security firm Hawkeye Electronic Security Limited used the opportunity to recruit for its unarmed division.

Recruiting Officer, Phillip Matthews, told JIS News that bringing employment opportunities directly into communities helps to bridge the gap for young people who may not otherwise seek out such openings.

“We realise that not a lot of persons come out… or go out to seek employment, so what we are trying to do is we come inside the community and offer it to them,” he said, encouraging youths to view security services as a viable and respectable career path.

For many residents, the fair provided a welcome opportunity to explore options close to home.

Shamara Dacosta, who signed up with the HEART/NSTA Trust, said she learned about the event through a friend and was eager to explore different pathways before starting college.

“I saw HEART and thought that maybe I could sign up to do makeup artistry…because I’m currently a hairdresser and that’s what I like. But I was really interested in joining the JDF or the police force,” she shared.

“It’s a great initiative because we’re all looking for opportunities, and somebody is reaching out to us so we can explore our options,” she told JIS News.

Another resident, Monica Bertiam, who accompanied her son to do the on-spot recruitment for Hawkeye, commended the organisers for bringing the services directly to the community.

She noted that transportation costs and other barriers often prevent residents from accessing opportunities elsewhere.

Mr. Brown told JIS News that SDC representatives will maintain contact lists and follow up with participants through community leadership structures to ensure sustained engagement.

He expressed confidence that the initiative will have a lasting impact.

“I believe that each and every person who benefits from today will go forward and benefit their community. It will increase their earning potential, give them direction and provide a pathway for personal development,” he said.

The Youth Empowerment Fair forms part of the SDC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community partnerships, expand access to government services and foster long-term social and economic stability.