Creative skills training to start this month

Government has launched a major project to teach young people across the island skills in the creative industry.

The National Community Training Programme, spearheaded by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) on behalf of the Ministry of Creative Economy Culture and Sports, will offer high quality training and development in a number of disciplines, including dance, visual arts and craft, videography, acting and drama, vocal training and steel pan, among others.

Over seven months, the free training will be conducted at 24 community centres across the island, by over 42 experts and veterans in various fields in the creative industry ready to impart their skills and knowledge to young people between the ages of 16 and 30 through curriculums they have designed.

Registration opens next week and closes on March 20, with classes scheduled to start on March 23.

Prominent events producer and poet Adisa Aja Andwele was chosen to be the Director of the National Training Programme.

Speaking at the launch of the programme at the Queen’s Park Art Gallery today, Chief Executive Officer of the NCF Carol Roberts-Reifer said it was important to note that the programme was designed after consultation with the communities.

“The programme is to pass on skills to youths in vulnerable communities, to teach some lost or dormant skills to young people to ensure that the traditions continue, to provide options for them to earn a living in areas of pursuit other than the obvious academic ones, to provide mentorship because these classes won’t be taught from text books; they are going to be taught hands on,” she said.

“The programme is also to enhance community life. How many communities can we go in at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, 5 o’clock in the afternoon and pass by a community centre and there is something happening and the elders of the community are helping the tutors and trainers to ensure that the people behave themselves. And the primary aim is to give that sense of validation that you are good at something,” she said.

Roberts noted that the programme would be fully accessible to all once the space is available.

She even suggested that those who may want to participate in a course that may be held at a centre outside of their community would receive the necessary assistance to get there.

“We are saying the age group is 16 to 30, but if somebody comes and say ‘I was 31 last month but I interested’ we taking them too. If a school boy or school girl comes and says ‘sir, m’am I hear it says 16 but I am 14’, we taking he too as long as there is room.

“So next week would be all about fine-tuning curriculum, registration, going out into the communities getting people to sign up, sourcing the various materials and equipment desired by the tutors and then teaching starts bright and early March 23 and it is going to run for seven months in the first instance. Every single day of the week there is going to be training going on in communities across the island,” Roberts-Reifer said.

During the launch several of the tutors praised the programme which they said would not only improve the lives of the youth, but would also play an important role in ensuring the continuation of various trades in the creative industry.

Terry Mexican Arthur, one of the founders of soca band Square One who will be teaching music production recalled that his introduction to the entertainment industry began at ten years old when he was taken to a panyard where he learnt to play pan. This eventually gave him the chance to work on a cruise ship and travel the world among other opportunities.

“When I think about this programme and I see everybody here I know that we can do a great job and it will make an impact. Music has given me everything and the possibilities are so great. I hope that as many young people as possible register early,” Arthur said.

The participants will receive completion certificates. anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb