Fifteen young residents from the Rose Town community in Kingston, are to participate in the Gore Family Foundation (GFF) Construction Internship Programme at the Gore Homes Phoenix Park Development in St Catherine.
Christine Gore, Director of GFF commented: “Whilst the main focus of GFF has been Early Childhood Education, we could not ignore the complex and pressing issue of at-risk youth. As we seek to build a better Jamaica, we saw a clear opportunity to leverage the work done by Gore Developments Ltd., in allowing the youth to learn a useful skill in an industry that has proven to be resilient over time.”
The participants were selected from a pool of over 40 applicants from the Rose Town community and underwent their on-site orientation on June 8, 2021.
Dominique Stanford, a formerly unemployed youth from Rose Town said “I was so pleased to have been selected as I’ve dreamt of an opportunity like this for so long. The orientation was well organised and I’m looking forward to learning the skills so that I can build my career.”
The 12-month internship programme will expose participants to both the theory and practice of the construction industry in addition to soft skills that are critical to success in the world of work.
Initially, the programme will introduce interns to effective study and coping skills, business etiquette, and Microsoft Word, English Language and alternative dispute resolution. This will be followed by foundation courses in project management, customer service, and health and safety.
The programme will then transition into coursework in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, tiling, painting, and several other construction specialities, followed by their three-month internship on-site where they will have the opportunity to work directly with Gore Developments’ subcontractors.
The highlight of the programme will be, the ‘Live Build’ which interns will execute in their community as part of the Rose Town Master Plan. The ‘Live Build’ will be supervised by Gore Developments Ltd.
Ruth Jankee, the Executive Director of The Rose Town Foundation, noted “This programme fits well into the development plan of the foundation, and having worked with the Gore Family Foundation on other successful and impactful projects we are delighted to be able to collaborate on this initiative that will benefit the Rose Town community.”
All participants or the Construction Internship Programme will be provided mentorship by Gore Scholars.
Brandon Burke of Gore Family Foundation explained, “Over the years, GDL and GFF have sponsored several scholarships to various tertiary institutions. This has provided us with a body of professionals – doctors, architects, engineers, accountants – dubbed our ‘Gore Scholars,’ who are anxious to give back in kind: skills, talents and expertise.”
Participants who excel in the programme will receive driving lessons from the Jamaica Automobile Association and an opportunity to secure a valid driver’s licence.
Source: Loop Jamaica News