OSBORNE STORE, Clarendon:

Skills, Training and Education Development Services (STEDS) registered over 40 people on the first day of a week-long registration exercise at the Osborne Store Primary and Junior High School.

The brainchild of brothers Owen and Roger Gordon who are both instructors in two of the disciplines being offered at the training institute, STEDS' goal is to make young people in the community employable at a subsidised cost to them.

Owen chose Osborne Store because he is from the community and hopes that by bringing the service to people, the youth and the young at heart will make use of its accessibility.

HEART Trust/NTA will be offering assistance where necessary, as Roger Gordon is also an officer there.

STEDS offers home economics, housekeeping, building construction, welding and electrical installation. Classes in mathematics and English Language are compulsory.

Principal of Osborne Store Primary and Junior High, Esmie Lawrence, was more than happy to grant permission to the management of STEDS to have classes at her school and some of the teachers there are volunteering as lecturers. Interestingly, other teachers will be participating in some of the courses. All the teachers and instructors will be giving their services free of charge. Registration costs $500, while each class incurs a cost of $150.

The deal between STEDS and Osborne Store is a win-win one, as the Gordons have promised to fix the school as a way of paying for the hospitality it is set to receive.

The first project the students will be taking on is to install security grilles on the school's computer lab.

The lab was robbed sometime ago and so the welding students will be put to work to make the room more secure, while earning some practical experience.

Materials donated

Roger Gordon said that the students would be carrying out any repairs that needed to be done on the school.

The materials to repair the computer lab will be donated by Joel Williams, councillor for the area. Minister of Labour and Social Service, Pearnel Charles, has also pledged his involvement.

- Angella Chin