Pinelands Creative Workshop a community beacon

Thirty-three-year-old Nico Beckles is testimony to the way in which a Non-Governmental Organisation can play a significant role in the development of a child and change the fortunes of families and communities.

Beckles who served as a tutor and technical support at the Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW) and an Information Technology officer at Harrison’s Cave, explained that after leaving The St Michael School with three certificates, he was advised by the now chief executive officer (CEO) of PCW Sophia Greaves-Broome to attend varied courses which eventually led to his passion for computers.

“When I left The St Michael School, I had three CXCs.

A week later the now CEO of Pinelands Creative Workshop Sophia Greaves-Broome contacted me and told me to come and sign up for a programme they were offering.

“I signed up for the Microsoft courses and I went and aced the Office Specialist Programme. After which Sophia would contact me about any programme that they were offering, and I would attend the sessions. I now have training in about 12 industries,” he said.

The Information Technology professional said that in his years being involved with the charitable organisation he has only spent $100 to pay for a final examination. All of the training that he has received through the organisation has been free of cost.

“The best thing about Pinelands is in the 28-years that I have been around the establishment the most I have paid is $100 for the microsoft certificate.

“All of the opportunities Pinelands gave us were free of cost and that is why anytime that Sophia or Pinelands calls and asks for my expertise in any way I am always willing to help because I know I can never repay them for how they transformed my life,” he said.

Beckles said that over the years Pinelands Creative Workshop became an extended family to him. He recounted an experience where he thought that he was attending a workshop in Barbados but later realised that his workshop was in Trinidad and Tobago when he received his ticket and itinerary in the mail.

“The first time I ever travelled I travelled for free through Pinelands. The first trip Sophia tricked me into it. She told me that I had a leadership seminar at The University of The West Indies and when the person called and sent the itinerary, she told me that it was The University of The West Indies but in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said while laughing.

The IT professional said that one of the things that Pinelands Creative Workshop taught him was critical thinking.

“The best thing that Pinelands Creative Workshop teaches you – I say teach you because they do not spoon feed you – is critical thinking as you can only go so far with book sense.

“Pinelands helps you by teaching you common sense so you can know how to utilise what you learned and that has significantly helped me.

“From the training, I was sent to further training at Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology which PCW assisted me with getting into because I had some challenges getting into my programme of study. Now, I can look at any board with a chip and figure out how to fix it in 30 minutes,” he said.

Beckles added: “Due to the further opportunities in 2017 provided by the organisation, I also now hold a Certificate from the Samuel Jackman Institute of Technology in Sound Technology.”

Pinelands Creative Workshop will be celebrating 44 years of its establishment on the 28th February 2022 and Beckles said that he was living proof of the good work the organisation was doing to inspire Barbados’ youth who like him did not come from a community conducive to learning but who through the love and care of the organisation still managed to excel.

“As I said earlier, I left The St Michael School with three CXCs and fast forward fourteen years later I have multiple certificates, qualifications and experience in various fields and that is due to Pinelands Creative Workshop.

“A little boy from Regent Hill, Pine, St Michael, an area that is close to a popular block, was able to grab the opportunities provided by Pinelands and make a betterment for himself.

“I encourage anyone who is young and determined to succeed but lack the know-how, to contact Pinelands Creative Workshop as they would be able to assist you in becoming a respectable young man or woman no matter your circumstance,” he said. (Write Right PR Services)