WITH a total of 115 students enrolled in its programmes, the Four Paths Community Training Centre in Clarendon is finding it increasingly difficult to stretch its meagre resources to meet the needs of its clients.

A partnership between the community management board and the Heart Trust NTA, the centre serves the entire southern Clarendon, offering six to seven-months certification programmes in early childhood education, commercial food preparation, and housekeeping.

Shanna-Kay Sinclair, project co-ordinator at the centre, told the Jamaica Observer that while the programmes offered “were doing well”, the centre was in dire need of funds for upgrading work.

She expressed that the centre, which was previously operated by the Social Development Commission, is only equipped with 10 computers to serve the 115 students. As such, the students are forced to use the machines on shifts or travel to other community training centres.

Sinclair shared that the commercial food preparation and housekeeping programmes offered at the centre are done with the help of the Sugar Transformation Unit, which provides a stipend and uniform for the students enrolled in the programmes.

“The programmes are overall good and allow for personal growth,” she told the Observer.

Wayne Battiste, manager of community training intervention at the Clarendon Heart Trust/NTA branch, is appealing to corporate Jamaica to help the centre.

“Take a look at the centre. It not only impacts Clarendon, but the entire Jamaica,” he remarked.

He said that the centre needs at least another classroom, a computer lab or additional computers, and an upgraded kitchen.

“We mean well, we are accountable here, your money will not go to waste and we are transparent,” were the means by which Battiste pleaded for corporate support.

“Students at the institution are all required to do job experience that is organised by the centre. At the end of this period, 30-40 certified individuals — from the average of 80 individuals — leave the programme with a job whilst the rest generally become self-employed,” Battiste said.