Skills Training for 265 Communities
On Monday 12th March 2018, 265 Communities started their skills training programme offered through the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts (MCDCA). The Community Education Programme (CEP) provides skills training in a variety of marketable skills. Targeting the unemployed and under-employed. The programme provides participants with equal opportunities to prepare themselves to compete for jobs or to develop the skills to create sustainable self-employment and entrepreneurship. Skills and competencies developed can then aid in the creation of home-based production of goods and services, diversification of income streams and employment generation.
Several of the CEP tutors are past students of the programme. Ms. Helen Maikoo, a past student now a tutor teaches the Bread, Cakes and Pastries class said that, “The CEP programme benefitted me in a great way giving me the confidence to show and express myself in cooking. I always had a love of baking, cooking and anything involved with being around the kitchen.” Ms. Maikoo’s first class was in International Cuisine, Preservatives, Drinks and Desserts and initially it was just something fun to do but it turned out to be a stepping stone into the catering industry.
Now, with a registered catering business Ms. Maikoo believes, others can also begin their own businesses or enhance their skills, “It is never too late to start something or learn something and I’m glad that I made that decision to take part in this programme because I don’t believe I would have gotten the courage to be where I am today.”
Classes are being offered throughout Trinidad and Tobago with almost 8000 persons participating. Some courses offered are: Computer Literacy, Hairdressing, Bread, Cakes and Pastries, Jewellery Making, Fabric Design, Soap Making Mixology, Landscaping, Events Management, Child Care, Welding and Fabrication, Small Engine Repairs, Small Scale Agriculture (Grow Box) and more. The programme is expected to conclude in June 2018 and persons will receive a certificates upon completion.
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Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts
communications_cdca@gov.tt
624-5004 Ext. 5145 / 5140