Kamal Singh (in hat in the background), the sole male participant in the commercial food preparation class at Operation Friendship on Bell Road, poses with tutors, Jamaica Social Investment Fund officials and classmates. - Contributed
Twenty-one-year-old Kamal Singh has selected commercial food preparation as his area of study and has set his sights on starting his own food-service company.But first, he had to complete both level one and two training of the Inner City Basic Services Programme, which recently merged with the Japan Social Development Fund.
The combined project has seen to the skill-readiness of 74 young people from Kingston's inner-city communities.
Almost at the end of levels one and two of programmes in general construction, commercial food preparation and welding, the 61 males and 13 females are being given lessons in several areas, including entrepreneurship, providing them with the option of starting their own businesses.
The intervention - implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment fund (JSIF) and pursued through Operation Friendship on Bell Road in Kingston - targets persons between the ages of 17 and 35 from Craig Town, Passmore Town, Whitfield Town, Federal Gardens and Jones Town.
At the end of the training, the participants will have HEART Trust/NTA National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica certification.
Willing to work
Having completed his training, Singh wants employment in an area that will provide on-the-job experience while he goes after his dream.
"I am interested in going on to level three, but I would prefer to do it on weekends as I want to work. I want to become a good chef," said Singh, who told The Sunday Gleaner that he had no problem being the only male in the commercial cooking group.
Singh, who graduated from Tarrant High School in 2009, said this was his first training experience since leaving school.
"I was working in construction, but it was hard for me. I also worked with my sister who cooked. I decided to do that because I liked it."
The training programme, he noted, also introduced the students to computing, mathematics, English and life skills.
"These improved my skills because I left school long ago. I did not feel any way being the only boy. I just came to do what I wanted to do. I like the creativity involved in cooking. It allows you to do things out of the box."
Lack of job placement for students
In the meantime, Mona Sue-Ho, social development manager for JSIF, said this project is aimed at addressing some gaps that were identified in previous programmes.
"These included attrition and non-attendance by participants. As such, a stipend to cover training materials, transportation and refreshment was provided for the participants."
She said another shortcoming identified was the lack of job placement for students at the end of the programme.
"There was a difficulty with securing employment or internship positions due to the recession, as well as reservations of employers due to the stigma attached to their community of residence."
However, under the current programme, Operation Friendship has committed to seeking employment opportunities for the participants.
Start-up grants will be provided for students who are interested in self-employment, Sue-Ho added.