New program teaches technology to disadvantaged teens

A Two public housing districts, Pinelands and Haynesville, have launched new training programs aimed at increasing access to technical training and education for disadvantaged young people aged 18-35.

The Pinelands Creative Studio/Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic Institute (SJPI) satellite program will offer certified introductory courses in computer information processing, computerized accounting and finance, and computer-aided drafting (AutoCAD).

Speaking at the official launch on Monday, Pinelands Creative Workshop chief executive Sophia Greaves said the scheme was designed to “bridge the gap” and help school dropouts who either did not gain qualifications or needed to reskill.

“The scheme is a positive step to improve access to educational opportunities, particularly for those who have been excluded because they do not meet entry requirements or are unable to obtain qualifications,” she said.

Greaves added that low education levels and unemployment are the main reasons for young people being excluded from society. “We want to balance the imbalances associated with exclusion and recognize that education can be a tool to create a path to social inclusion.”

Deputy Prime Minister Sandia Bradshaw also stressed the need for “urgent” changes to education to prevent people being “left behind” because they do not have certificates.

She declared: “Every time I hear How many people are being left behind…how many people are graduating without credentials. That’s why our government is so desperate to transform education. We must not as a society settle for people graduating without credentials. We must not settle for people not being sure of their options. We must not have people feel left behind because they didn’t go to a certain school and therefore they don’t belong in a certain group.

“These things must never be something we accept as a society. That’s why this kind of inclusion project is so important, because it aims to send the message that we are working hard to include everyone.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Education and Technical and Vocational Training Sandra Husbands highlighted the issue of Barbados’ ageing population and said the island “cannot afford to lose a single young person” and must ensure they are productive to support the elderly.

“Barbados is a small island with a population of about 270,000 people. Currently, 35 to 40 percent of the population is over the age of 50,” she said. “(We need to) ensure that they are able to do their best because a small number of people are going to have to bear the burden of the elderly population of Barbados.

“This is important because we are now focusing on transforming education and we cannot have 40 per cent of children leaving school without some form of qualification. It is not sustainable. (SB)