SJPI sees surge in construction programme interest

Principal of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), Ian Drakes, says interest in construction-related programmes at the institution continues to surge, driven in part by new scholarships and strong industry support.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY, Drakes said that the recently established Ministry of Training and Tertiary Education had introduced a scholarship specifically targeting construction skills.

“In February, the Honourable Prime Minister formed a new ministry called the Ministry of Training and Tertiary Education . . . this ministry is now offering us a scholarship for construction as it relates to carpentry and joinery, masonry, electrical wiring, electrical installation, plumbing, tiling, and welding,” he explained.

“This is for the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology and the Barbados Vocational Training Board; the two outstanding tertiary institutions that offer construction,” he said. “What this ministry is saying is that we want to encourage and boost the construction in terms of encouraging persons who may be vulnerable and have a challenge, and so the ministry has stepped up and said we gonna offer $8 000 to the successful student, one from SJPI and one from BVTV, for the entire year in the three-part installation, so that they can get through and won’t quit and be part of this construction boom.”

Applicants must be between 16 and 40 years old to qualify for the award.

Drakes said there is a clear buzz around SJPI’s construction programmes this semester, which began September 1.

“There’s a buzz among the young people as I walk the corridors,” he said. “I’m seeing people who are saying, ‘I’m in carpentry, 2nd year diploma,’ and it’s a young lady and she’s excited. Persons doing joinery, persons doing masonry – I saw students actually learning to plaster. You know, they still say, well, sir, the sun [hot], I said, well, don’t worry about the sun, you know you’re going to get paid well.”

The principal noted that demand has been especially strong for plumbing.

“My deputy principal asked me in consultation, ‘Can we bring an extra group?’ and you know what, we have brought in an extra group for plumbing because of the demand, not just from the industry, but young persons who have been knocking on our door to enter to do these construction skills.”

Currently, there are around 200 students enrolled in construction-related classes at SJPI.

Drakes stressed that young people are increasingly recognising the value of vocational and technical training.

“I believe the young persons understand that technical vocational education is the way out of economic struggles,” he said. “Your brain has to coordinate to do these things with your hand, because if the carpenter can’t measure, if you cannot write, you have problems. And we’re seeing some really top students coming through and getting these awards.”

Beyond government scholarships, Drakes praised the growing support and interest of the private sector in assisting students with their studies.

“Apart from that construction scholarship, SJPI has ramped up its scholarships from last year’s awards. Last year we were $160 000 . . . we are now at $190 000 in scholarship awards for this year and counting,” he reported.
Recent partnerships with Automotive Art and Nirvana Construction have expanded opportunities for students, while other contributors include the National Oil Company, Eric Hassell and Son, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Environment.

“All of these have ramped up for our students either in the 1st year or 2nd year to get financial support to help you with your PPEs, to help you with the lunch money and to help with registration throughout your journey at the SJPI,” Drakes said.

(SB)