KINGSTON, Jamaica  (JIS) —     In an inner-city community in the heart of Kingston, faced with economic and social challenges, a number of residents, have been given an opportunity to learn a skill, which will make them more employable, as well as enhance their personal development.

Twenty-seven residents of Allman Town, in the vicinity of the National Heroes Park, have successfully completed a four-day decorative painting course, which was carried out by the Ministry of Finance and Planning, in collaboration with global paint company, Sherwin-Williams.

The initiative falls under the Ministry’s Community and Residential Empowerment (CARE) programme, and forms part of the Government’s thrust to empower communities, by assisting in the development of programmes that will touch the lives of residents, and set them on a path to realising their potential.

The participants were recognized at a certificate handing over ceremony held on November 5 at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in the community.

Speaking with JIS News, Deputy Financial Secretary, Corporate Services Division, Claudette Wright, explained that the residents of the nearby community often seek employment with, or through the Ministry.

“So we decided that we would have this programme where we help the community, and they help us…we do a lot of projects,” she said.

“If we develop them along certain lines in terms of skills, they not only can get work in the Ministry, but elsewhere…so, instead of just giving them arbitrary work when it comes along, we decided that we were going to do this programme,” she added.

The Deputy Financial Secretary lauded the partnership with Sherwin-Williams, and says the Ministry welcomes collaboration with other corporate entities.