PARTICIPANTS GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION, DESKTOP PUBLISHING, BREAD, CAKE, AND PASTRY-MAKING.

A cohort of 105 young participants, and residents from the Boys Training Centre (BTC), graduated from the fourth annual Botham Jean - Youth Exploring Skills (BJ-YES) program. The graduation ceremony at the National Skills Development Centre on August 16, 2024, celebrated the achievements of the dedicated young people who participated in the four-week skills training program.

The BTC residents participated in Electrical Installation, Desktop Publishing, Bread, Cake, and pastry-making classes, gaining hands-on experience and valuable knowledge for their personal development and future success. This initiative aligns with the vision of the Boys Training Centre as the island's sole youth rehabilitative institution, committed to offering care, intervention, and life-skills education within a safe and supportive environment to empower its residents to become productive and positive contributors to society.

Manager of the BTC Leanna Wallace, expressed gratitude to the Botham Jean Foundation for the opportunity provided to the boys of the Centre, “This venture was significant for the boys of the Boys Training Centre as they would have gained knowledge in various skill sections that they would use in future. The boys were excited about the activity and looked forward to attending that camp. They learned a lot; they were very excited to explain to the staff what they learned. It was a venture of development; it was a venture that would help the boys in the long run. Those skills that they got from the Botham Jean camp, will help bring them to higher places.” 

The BJ-YES program also offered training in Hairdressing and Nail Care, providing a broad spectrum of skills to meet the diverse interests and career aspirations of the young participants, underscoring the wide-ranging approach of the Botham Jean Foundation and NSDCS's commitment to youth development, as they continue to equip the next generation with the tools needed to thrive.