CAY HILL:--- Sixteen local youth have successfully completed a 6-month carpentry course made possible by K1 Britannia Foundation in collaboration with the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA). The course allowed the students to be internationally certified with Carpentry Level 1 qualifications through the MIC Institute of Technology, based in Trinidad & Tobago. The course was an initiative of K1’s Second Chance program. “Our second Chance Program is based on the principle of finding out of the box solutions to adapt to meet the needs of our youth as effectively as possible. This is why we wanted to focus on construction and other industries that were relevant in the economic environment following Hurricane Irma”, mentioned Priya Thirumur, Co-founder of K1.
The course attracted youths of all ages, ranging from 17-27, both male and female, including a person with special needs, that was willing to develop their technical and non-technical skills within the construction field. Deshaun David, Program Manager, MIC Institute of Technology elaborated on the importance of the youth skills stating, “Skills training is part of holistic development, complemented by life skills and mentorship by our experienced instructors which helps with the overall and long-term development of a young person. One must not forget that skills like carpentry open doors to young people, whereby it sparks entrepreneurial options and not just having to rely on employment from others.”
The 6-month course began early this year, and the students learned various skills such as how to draw and interpret simple drawings, laying out a building on a job site, constructing formwork, frame floor and walls. Life skills were an integral part of the course and covered topics such as intra and interpersonal skills, employment & financial skills and entrepreneurship. K1 Second Chance Program Managers, Malaika Richards, and Alan Schet, played the role of mentors throughout the entire duration of the course. Richards and Schet mentioned, “We as Program Managers expected a lot from the students and encouraged them to practice discipline, patience, and perseverance. This is important because even if some do not pursue carpentry as a career, those characteristics are a large part of self-development and can be applied to any field.”
Upon successful completion of the course, a graduation ceremony took place to acknowledge the students’ accomplishments. The ceremony gathered friends, family and facilitators of the students and program, and highlighted key students such as Edwin Schoop, as Valedictorian, Stacy Elias as Best Team Player, Xhenji Wyatt-Cedeño as Emerging Leader, Raekwon Dollison as Most Disciplined, Vern David Graham with Best Attitude, Shenauri Carty as Most Determined and Isaiah Nadal as Most Improved. K1 would like to extend their gratitude to NIPA and Shieka’s Bistro who helped to make the graduation a success.
The course was an opportunity for many to create the future they desire. One of the students, Shenauri Carty shared her heartfelt experience with the course stating, “If I did not participate in this course, I really did not have a plan B. The course is a stepping stone into my future. There are a lot of young persons with potential but do not have the means to put themselves out there, but courses like this would give them that opportunity. I am grateful to K1 and Holland America Line, for recognizing that we needed these possibilities.”
Priya Thirumur also shared K1’s appreciation stating “We are thankful for those who have benefited and whose lives have changed for the better through being a part of this pilot program, and we are grateful for those who gave them this opportunity while also establishing the basis for training programs like this for future.”
The carpentry course would not have been possible without its main sponsors Holland America Line and the Dutch Disaster Fund. Other sponsors included Menzies Aviation, Rebuild SXM who donated boots, and Ace who donated safety equipment needed for the students.
Pamela Bade, Manager of Corporate Giving, Holland America Line, shared her wishes for the students stating “HAL’s partnership with K1 Britannia is all about creating jobs for the youth of St. Maarten. We hope students walk away from this course with increased self- confidence knowing the construction and life skills gained through this opportunity can open doors to their future.”
Next steps for K1 will be to assist the students with job prospects and transitioning into the work field.
For more information about K1 Britannia Foundation and it’s Second Chance Program, visit their website www.k1britanniafoundation.org, their Facebook www.facebook.com/k1sxm, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +(1)721-543-3332.
