Young Persons Urged to Participate in 4-H Training Programmes

Manager of the Denbigh 4-H Training Centre in Clarendon, Andre Anderson, is urging more young persons to get involved in the programmes offered at the facility.
The two programmes – the Tractor Operation and Maintenance Programme and the Food Preparation and Floral Arrangement Programme – were instituted in 2001 and 2003, respectively.
In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Anderson explained that the programmes were conceptualised out of a need to equip young Jamaicans, who do not possess the typical prerequisites for entry into other training institutions, with marketable skills that will allow them to find employment.
“We pride ourselves on helping vulnerable young persons, who are without the usual five or so CXC subjects, who would not be able to get into a training institution, to obtain the training necessary to function in today’s society,” he said.
Mr. Anderson noted that the Tractor Operation and Maintenance Programme, was also one way of ensuring that correct safety procedures are followed by persons who operate heavy equipment on a daily basis.
“The Jamaica 4-H Club is quite proud of the fact that it is the only institution in Jamaica that offers heavy equipment training, and it is certified to NCTVET Level 1. We realise that most persons who learnt to operate heavy equipment, do so by virtue of them living close to somebody who owns one or being a sideman on one of these or being a ‘washerman’ and being asked to move it, until they eventually start driving. These persons do not learn the theoretical aspect or the technical reasons why safety is important, when it comes to operating heavy equipment. Our programme is geared at addressing this problem,” Mr. Anderson emphasised.
Both programmes offered by the institution last for a period of four months, after which students are equipped for the labour market with an NCTVET Level 1 certificate.
Mr. Anderson said that there is a strong entrepreneurship component, which entails providing students with basic training that would enable them to establish their own businesses.
“We encourage our students to not only seek employment, but to create employment,” he pointed out.The programmes are open to persons from all 14 parishes, who can apply through their parish offices.