A three-year dream by Mayor of St Ann’s Bay Delroy Giscombe to establish a skills training centre, named for late National Hero Marcus Garvey, finally became a reality.

The Marcus Garvey Skills Training Centre was officially opened on Monday on Owen Sound Drive in St Ann’s Bay – Garvey’s home town.

The centre, endorsed by HEART/NTA, was established at a cost of $1.5 million. It will provide training for students in information

technology, hospitality, craft and jewellery making, among other skills.

HEART/NTA, which will support the facility in terms of training, will also provide certification of people who have successfully completed courses at the centre.

The project, funded by the St Ann Parish Council, saw the refurbishing of a building that was once used as a community centre but which had been idle for quite some time.

Giscombe said the idea behind the skills centre was to get “our unskilled young people … involved in something that will bring about positive outcomes”.

“We would like to see them become productive citizens in the society”, he added.

Giscombe unveiled the centre’s sign, while North East St Ann Member of Parliament Shahine Robinson assisted in cutting the ribbon to officially open the centre.