Rae Town Fishermen Certified Under City and Guilds

Fifteen fishermen from Rae Town in Kingston have received certification in motor vehicle and small boat repairs from internationally renowned United Kingdom vocational education organization,City and Guilds of London Institute (City & Guilds).

Their training and certification was facilitated under the Jamaica Social Investment Fund’s (JSIF) GOLA 5 Poverty Reduction Programme, funded by the European Union (EU).

The participants received their certificates during a presentation ceremony at the Rae Town Fishing Cooperative, on Friday, August 23.

Speaking at the function, JSIF’s General Manager for Infrastructure and Civil Works, Andrew Neita, noted that the project was aimed at equipping the participants with the necessary skills to, among other things, maintain and repair small boat engines.

“(Additionally) the participants have (attained) international accreditation through City and Guilds and the foundation for even more advanced training. They can also train others, ensuring a pool of maintenance and repair personnel to service the needs of the community and beyond,” Mr. Neita said, while noting that the beneficiaries’ commitment displayed for the duration of the training was key to the programme’s success.

In noting that the participants were “actively involved” in all aspects of the training programme, showing keen interest in everything taught, Mr. Neita said they have now increased their ability to earn and sustain their families and communities, and improve their general welfare.

“We hope that practising the skills learned in this training programme leads to success as a direct result of the hard work and commitment you put in over the past few months,” he added.

For his part, Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Central Kingston, where Rae Town is situated, Hon. Rev. Thwaites, welcomed the fact that the 15 participants are now “employable”.

“What has happened with you is that you have been through a training course and you are now able to go anywhere and show a certificate and to insist that you are treated properly, that you are engaged as a skilled person. Today, you are at the level of being trained people and, therefore, employable,” Rev. Thwaites said, while urging them to also give consideration to establishing their own operations.

Head of Rural Development and Infrastructure, with the EU Delegation in Jamaica, Thomas Opperer, congratulated the participants on their achievements.

“Projects like these represent hope for persons seeking to increase their marketability in these challenging economic times,” he said.