Youths to benefit from $100M Sophia facility

At-risk youths will be given the chance to take advantage of a new learning institution presently under construction in Sophia. This is according to Assistant Director of Youth in the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Education Ministry, Leslyn Boyce.

Boyce highlighted that phase one of the $100 million facility, which had commenced in 2015, was allocated a cost of $15 million. The second phase has been allocated $25 million and it should begin soon, she noted.

It was pointed out that the facility is being set up in Sophia to allow for greater access to education for those who are more at risk and less fortunate.

The Assistant Director of Youth said the two-storey centre would develop the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) capacity of youths and would be equipped with revision tools and classroom equipment for four skill areas – catering, plumbing and sheet metal, masonry, and welding and fabrication.

The programmes will last for six months. As a further means of encouraging the youths and making them ready for the job market, the Youth Entrepreneurship Skills Training (YEST) programme has opted to provide a $4000 stipend monthly, along with a hot meal every day, Boyce informed.