More young people from the South Georgetown area are expected to benefit from skills training with the commissioning of the Albouystown New Hope Community Project (ANHCP) training complex in the Castello Housing Scheme yesterday.

Coinciding with the building’s formal opening was the presentation of certificates to 24 young men who have just completed a ten-week training course in either joinery or masonry.

Plans are already afoot to expand the project to train young women, in particular single parents, in cosmetology, sewing and home economics. Some time in the near future, the leaders hope to include information technology in the curriculum.

As an added boost, Tourism Minister, Manzoor Nadir, invited the project to select two of its students for training in a bamboo craft project which should commence on November 17.

The ANHCP, community leader Randolph Thorne explained, is geared towards providing free training for young people in South Georgetown, especially those from Albouystown, in an effort to equip them with skills to be self-sufficient. According to the community leader, the government, through the President’s Youth Choice Initiative, donated about $400,000 worth of joinery tools, while the British High Commissioner’s office assisted the youths with a stipend and meals.

“We are in a community where youths are very curious for opportunities to be involved... We want to encourage youth and elders to protect the assets. The residents must be policemen,” Thorne said as he urged stakeholders to get onboard in a more meaningful way.

He further stated that the ANHCP would endeavour to solicit technical persons to help with the training. Among those graduating with honours last night, were Ronel Beaton, Rene Williams, Seon Robertson and Nacosia Fredericks.

Beaton won both the ‘Best Masonry’ and ‘Best Overall Graduating Student’ prizes, while Williams was awarded the ‘Best Joinery’ prize. Robertson and Fredericks were the runners-up in the masonry and joinery courses, respectively.

Presidential Advisory on Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba, urged the graduates to use their newly- acquired skills to make things to sell, while at the same time, keeping proper accountability. The new graduates must also help others lift themselves through education, said patron of the project, Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury.

The project first started classes in the YMCA building, then moved to the Ebenezer Church before organizers campaigned for the new location.

Others present at the commissioning ceremony were Leader of the main Opposition PNCR, Robert Corbin and other Members of Parliament.