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Saturday, November 21, 2009 8:19 PM

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Ready for work!

Twenty-four in Providence Heights graduate from Heart Trust NTA/NHT hospitality programme

BY PAT ROXBOROUGH-WRIGHT Editor-at-large/Western Bureau

Thursday, October 29, 2009

PROVIDENCE HEIGHTS, St James - Twenty-four proud residents of the Providence Heights housing scheme in St James are ready to showcase their skills in housekeeping and food and beverage management after graduating from a four-month hospitality programme customised by the National Housing Trust (NHT) and the Heart Trust/NTA on Sunday.

The course, which was subsidised by the NHT, saw graduates paying just under $5000 for the programme that was delivered two evenings weekly at the Providence Heights Infant School in the community.

Graduates of the hospitality course offered by the National Housing Trust and the Heart Trust/NTA pose with officials of both entities following Sunday's passing out ceremony at the Providence Heights Infant Cchool in St James. (Photo: Pat Roxborough-Wright)

Now they're not just seeking jobs, but some of them plan to employ themselves by way of a cleaning business.

"We did a mapping exercise that looked at all the services in Montego Bay as well as the needs, and out of that they identified the need for a cleaning service," said Wendy Jo Williams, the NHT's social development manager.

According to Williams, one of the concepts that the NHT tried to promote throughout the course was that of self-sufficiency.

"This is just the start of a closer interpersonal relationship within the community based on networking. So when the cleaning service starts the members of that company will look within the community to access the various services. They will also recommend their neighbours to fill other employment opportunities that they come across in their field of work," she explained.

Sunday's ceremony saw the graduates showing off their skills to an appreciative audience.

They blended natural juices, made up beds and demonstrated their awareness of the legal issues associated with guest relations within the hospitality industry via a witty dramatic presentation.

Glendon Ferguson, president of the Providence Heights Housing Scheme Citizens' Association and one of the facilitators of the programme, told the Observer West that he was greatly encouraged by the success of the programme.

In the meantime, the NHT is planning to make an entrepreneurial training programme available for the citizens as well as an environmental club for their children.

"A significant part of our mandate is to assist citizens in managing and taking care of their communities. The environmental club is one of the ways we endeavour to do this," Williams said.

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