KINGSTON, Jamaica — The former Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre in Alexandria, St Ann has been transformed into a multifaceted skills training centre.

The new facility, which had its opening ceremony yesterday, was the scene of a fatal fire in 2007, which resulted in the deaths of seven girls and the injury of several others.   

The HEART Trust/ NTA joined collaborated with the Ministry of National Security, the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and other partners to transform the property into the centre, which is equipped to accommodate 125 trainees recruited from Alexandria and surrounding communities of South West St Ann.

Addressing the official launch, executive director of the HEART Trust/NTA, Dr Wayne Wesley stated that the agency was committed to developing community-training interventions, which helped to integrate unattached youths and adults into society.

The skills training centre will offer certification in air conditioning and refrigeration, general construction, carpentry and furniture making along with other programmes, which are in demand based on labour market research conducted by the HEART Trust/ NTA.  

Upon completion of a programme, successful trainees will earn the internationally recognised stamp of approval, the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J).   

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller declared that the new skills training centre should be considered a symbol of hope for Jamaicans.  

“Armadale is an inspiration. It is a powerful example of our resilience as a people.  This facility is a bold statement of the efforts of the private and public sector working together to empower communities,” she said at the opening.