THE St Patrick’s Foundation yesterday officially opened its modernised training kitchen at the Christ the Redeemer Human Resource Centre in Seaview Gardens, Kingston.

The newly refurbished kitchen was done at a cost off US$200 000, in partnership with the Appliance Traders Limited (ATL) and has been fitted with modern and professional stainless steel equipment.

It can accommodate 35 students and will be used for the culinary training course offered by the centre.

Chairman of the St Patrick’s Foundation Mark McKenzie told the Observer that the project, which underwent a significant transformation, was done in line with the vision for St Patrick’s to be modern, self-sufficient and a celebration of the pride of the people in the communities.

“This is our first step in becoming modern, giving the students that we train the best possible opportunity for success,” McKenzie said.

He said that before the upgrading students who graduated from the institution and got jobs in major hotels would be unfamiliar with the modern and professional equipment there.

According to McKenzie, the St Patrick’s Foundation is about empowering people to become “all they can be” by giving them skills and training that can help them to be successful.

Representative from ATL, Stephen Chang, said the company hopes that the new facilities will allow the students to develop and hone the skills necessary to unlock their potential.

“No organisation can truly claim success without offering meaningful assistance and support to the people and communities from which it operates,” he said. “ATL was also built on that principle of giving back so when the foundation asked us to be involved in this project, we were immediately on board.”

Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton, speaking at yesterday’s ceremony, said that the project is a timely one.

“Today’s occasion is timely, it is timely because the training that St Patrick’s offers has to be relevant to the community; the community in turn has to be responsive to that training but the two go hand in hand,” he said.

Hylton said there needs to be an awareness of the community in which the institution teaches the skills that are required and the relevance of the training that are provided, adding that the St Patrick’s Foundation has been striving to do that.

Lady Patricia Allen, wife of Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and United States ambassador Pamella Bridgewater were among officials in attendance at the opening.

The St Patrick’s Foundation operates four centres — St Margaret’s Human Resource Centre in Olympic Gardens, which trains 300 students through remedial education, as well as skills training in electrical installation and garment construction; Christ Redeemer Human Resource Centre, which trains persons in business administration, catering and cosmetology; and two early childhood development centres. It also operates a home for the aged.