Project Dawn expands skills training for vulnerable youth

More than 500 young people have benefited from Project Dawn since the programme began in 2022, with a further 115 participants now beginning skills training aimed at improving their prospects for employment, entrepreneurship and long-term personal development.

At the Project Dawn orientation ceremony at the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute in Marine Gardens, Hastings, on Thursday, Minister for Youth and Culture Senator Shane Archer told this year’s intake that the initiative was deliberately designed to be proactive.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Youth and Culture, Senator Shane Archer and Director of the Jean & Norma Holder Hospitality Institute Roderick Prescod speaking to the new cohort of this year’s Project Dawn programme. (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt)

He said: “Through Project Dawn, over 500 young people are being upskilled through different forms of training. Whether that’s at the [Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute], at [Barbados Community College], at the Vocational Training Board, this is part of a much bigger programme. 

“The idea is simple. We do not want to wait until a young person has fallen through the cracks and then say we should have done something. We are trying to be proactive. We want to reach you early, expose you to the opportunity to build confidence and give you something productive that you can turn into a realistic future.”

Project Dawn was part of the government’s wider effort to “prevent young people from going astray by giving them alternatives — alternatives to idleness, alternatives to hopelessness and alternatives to believing that Barbados has no place for us,” he added. 

More than 100 participants are now beginning training under the latest phase of the initiative, with seven classes offering practical skills in areas including cookery, bartending, housekeeping and international cuisine.

The training could open pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and careers locally, regionally and internationally, Archer said. 

“Today is not simply about an orientation. Today is the beginning of an opportunity. 

“These are skills that can lead you into employment, entrepreneurship and for some of you, careers that can take you across Barbados, across the region, and potentially across the world.”

He urged the participants to take the opportunity seriously and use the training to build their futures.

“Your circumstances today do not have to determine your destination tomorrow,” Archer said. “You have been given an opportunity through the Division of Youth Affairs. Take it seriously. Build the skill, build the discipline, build a network and build something for yourself, your family and by extension, your nation, Barbados.”

Director of the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute Roderick Prescod, said the opportunity being provided through the government was “critical for our development, not only as the industry, not only as for tourism and hospitality, but for the economy of Barbados”. 

Prescod also said the institute, whose students operate the PomMarine Hotel, was upgrading its facilities, including its front-of-house, conference and reception areas, to bring the training environment in line with current industry standards.

“The purpose of these upgrades is to make sure that we are presenting an environment that is aligned with current industry standards, which would allow you, the students, to have the best possible environment for training.”

(SB)