SOME got pregnant early and were not able to complete their education; some completed high school but did not have a skill; and some just did not have the financial resources needed, but whatever the reason was for them to want a second chance at learning a skill, hundreds turned out to the orientation of the Dr Dayton Campbell Second Chance Initiative at the St Hilda’s Diocesan High School in Brown’s Town last Wednesday.

People across different age groups eagerly received the final information needed before classes begin tomorrow.

The member of parliament’s initiative, which gives young people a chance to acquire a skill, is in its second year, following its inception in 2014. Approximately 600 persons in the North West constituency were trained last year. Hundreds more are set to take on courses in bartending, bar and beverage supervision, waitering, merchandising and customer service.

“Some of us are not skilled workers and when we go into the work world, they are saying we are to be experienced,” participant Melissa Campbell said, adding that she was happy for the programme offered to young people of the constituency.

Norda Thomas, who participated in the event last year, said that it is a worthwhile experience. Trained in bartending, she now has her eyes set on doing the bar and beverage supervision course.

“It was good, kind of hard, but putting your mind to it… it was good. In the end it felt great,” she stated.

Thomas said that there were times when she felt like giving up, but her teacher always motivated her.

At the graduation ceremony held for persons who participated in the programme last year, she was one of the students recognised for outstanding academic performance.

Thomas said she scored a 97 per cent average in her final exams.

“Overall, it is a good thing. I have been encouraging my friends from the beginning to join the classes…in the end it will pay off,” she said.

The courses are offered at four locations in the constituency free of cost and are open to all members of the constituency.

On Wednesday, Dr Campbell told participants that it was not a matter of politics for the courses to be only offered to members of his constituency, but that the courses are being funded by money allocated to his constituency.

“It is funded by money allocated to the constituency and so it is limited to persons from the area,” he told them.

Campbell explained that skills-training was one of the areas of concern in his constituency and so he made it a priority.

While persons are being trained, and while some may be placed in jobs through the HEART/Trust Career placement programme, Dr Campbell encouraged them to create jobs or to apply for jobs upon completing their training.

“Don’t expect that on completing the programme all of you will be placed in a job by the MP,” he told participants.

He said that the programme is about training and making people employable.

In the meantime, Patrice Wilson-McHugh, managing director of Bars To Go, which is a partner in the programme, said that participants will be given hands-on training which will prepare them for the world of work.

“We are preparing you for the work world. We not only give you the tools, but we are there with you from day one,” she stated.

Several key stakeholders who attended the orientation on Wednesday encouraged the participants to embrace the opportunity of a second chance.

“We can achieve anything we want to if we put our shoulders to the wheel,” Verona Dean, education officer at the Ministry of Education stated.

“I am sure that over time, we will have more youth being employed, and we will make a meaningful contribution to Jamaica, land we love,” she added.

Guest speaker at the orientation, Kemesha Kelly also encouraged the participants to be committed.

“Commit to make the best use of this second chance… where you are now is not the end of your story,” she told them.

The classes, which are expected to start at 3:00 pm Monday to Friday, will be offered in the communities of Brown’s Town, Discovery Bay, Runaway Bay and Bamboo.