By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
(Basseterre, St. Kitts)”The National Skills Training Program, which held its annual graduation ceremony at the Basseterre High School Auditorium, on Dec. 3, honoured two role model youths among 95 graduates for their outstanding achievement in the development of social life skills. Jerome Henry and Jason Mitcham, the honorees, graduated with certificates in Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration. “The course has benefitted me a lot by teaching me the skills about Air-conditioning and Refrigeration,” Mr. Henry said. “The course has equipped me to face the world of work,” Mr. Mitcham said. Social Life Skills Facilitator, Gloria Mills, said that it is quite an achievement that the boys are more knowledgeable in the field of Air-conditioning and Refrigeration but that what was admirable about them was that they demonstrated exceptional resilience to peer pressure while pursuing their training. In an age when so many boys are falling through the cracks, Mr. Henry and Mr. Mitcham demonstrated an intelligent, mature understanding of the purpose of the training, Ms. Mills said. “They were regular in their attendance especially at Social Life Skills sessions and showed interest by their participation,” Ms. Mills said. The basics of the social life skills component of the training is to complement the hands-on training, embody personal management skills, healthy interpersonal relationship skills and successful vocational development skills. “It is so important for our young people not only to be equipped with a skill but to have social skills in the work force,” Ms. Mills said. Mr. Henry emerged as the most outstanding trainee in the technical component of the course. It is hoped that their exemplary conduct will be a model for other youths to follow. Both young men are from the village of Bourryeau. The Social Life Skills Program was introduced into the curriculum of the National Skills Training Program by the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1986.””” Skills were acquired by the 95 graduates in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Hair Dressing, Computer Orientation, Secretarial Studies, Electrical Installation and Basic Food Preparation. The National Skills Training Program will have to redouble its efforts to meet the demands of globalization especially with the Caricom Single Market and Economy because our young people must be able to be skill trained in St. Kitts and Nevis and find equivalent work elsewhere in the region based on recognized and accepted regional skills qualifications, Director of National Skills Training Program, Mr. Fitzroy Wilkin said. Additional awards and recognition were given to past Directors and to the OAS for its long standing relationship to the NTSP. The directors awarded were Mr. Michael Chapman, Mrs. Annette Manners, Dr. Irvin Sweeney and Mr. Vincent Inniss. CEO of KVK Enterprises, Mr. Khrystus Wallace delivered the feature address. Minister of Education, the Honourable Sam Condor, praised the Director and his team for a job well done and promised government’s commitment to the continuation of the program.”
