MORE that 30 young people from communities across the Corporate Area have been certified after completing six months of training under the ‘Strengthening the Culture of Integrity Jamaica Project: Skills Building for Integrity Programme’.

The engagement, which was initiated and implemented by the Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) Limited, targeted individuals, aged 17 to 45, who were taught English language, mathematics, and social and personal development life skills, and offered psychosocial support.

The initiative, which qualifies the participants to enrol in HEART Trust/NTA programmes, also exposed them to training in information technology; integrity; human rights; gender, parenting and family planning; and covered several topics including sexual and reproductive rights and how corruption influences lives.

Additionally, they were taught résumé writing, interviewing skills, dressing for the work environment, professional etiquette, and entrepreneurship.

The participants received their certificates during a graduation ceremony at Alhambra Inn in St Andrew on Wednesday.

Youngsters involved in the WROC’s summer school programme were also presented with certificates of participation.

Speaking at the ceremony, WROC Executive Director Nikeisha Sewell Lewis said the training will enhance the lives of the participants by equipping them with critical knowledge and skills.

Sewell Lewis, in congratulating the beneficiaries, assured them that “at WROC, you have found a family who is going to be there to continue to support you, and we look forward to going to more graduations [with you]”.

“We know at WROC that if you want to see a new Jamaica, [but] if you want to see a Jamaica where corruption is spurned and integrity is number one, then you have to work with young people and we know that the youth, particularly in our communities, are very vulnerable. So we took on this project not to empower the youth, but to allow them to empower themselves,” she said.

Psychologist Deandra Brown, who was the guest speaker, encouraged the graduates to always endeavour to strive for the best and implored “don’t give up on your goals and dreams…be the best (that) you can”.

National Integrity Action (NIA) representative Hezekiah Hall said the training will expose the participants to valuable life skills which will enhance holistic development.

Skills-building Coordinator Ivan Coore said of the 47 programme participants, 32 completed the six-month training component, while 23 gained passes in mathematics and English.

In expressing gratitude for the initiative, beneficiary Stephen McDonald lauded the organisers for conceptualising the programme, noting that it provides a platform for youth development.

The programme was sponsored by the NIA and United States Agency for International Development.