FOLLY, Port Antonio — The Portland Arts and Vocational Education (PAVE) institute is transforming the lives of young Portlanders by giving them an opportunity to learn a skill, become qualified, and gain meaningful employment or become entrepreneurs. Over a decade of operation more than 400 at-risk youth have graduated, with 74 per cent employed and or pursuing further education.

“PAVE Centre, located in Port Antonio, is a second-chance institution committed to transforming the lives of at-risk youth through vocational training, mentorship, and community empowerment. Founded in 2018, PAVE was created in response to the growing need for accessible training for young people who did not complete high school or lacked opportunities to advance in traditional pathways,” explained PAVE Executive Director Audra Handel.

“Since its inception PAVE has grown into a trusted training hub, working closely with Jamaican industry leaders, US partners, and the local community to offer programmes that truly change lives, giving our youngsters a second chance. The centre provides a safe, structured, and uplifting environment where young people can restart their educational journey and gain skills that lead them directly into employment,” she added.

Handel was speaking with the Jamaica Observer during a recent ceremony for proud graduates. It was held at the Port Antonio Centre, at Folly in Port Antonio.

“Our mission is to provide market-driven, hands-on training that aligns with real job opportunities locally and across Jamaica. The core belief is simple: When young people are given the tools, support, and confidence they need, they can break cycles of poverty and become strong contributors to their communities,” Handel said.

PAVE students benefit from vocational training tailored to Jamaica’s growing workforce demands, life skills, and personal development. They are also trained in customer service and workplace readiness, and have access to mentorship, ongoing support, and pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.

“This holistic approach ensures that the graduates leave not only with certification but with the mindset and soft skills needed to succeed professionally,” noted Handel.

Once faced with limited options, graduates are now trained lifeguards, industrial security officers, restaurant servers and guest room attendants.

“Our graduates are highly sought after by hotels, resorts, restaurants, and security firms across Jamaica. PAVE maintains strong employer relationships and supports students as they transition into jobs or further education,” boasted Handel.

Gulu Chanrai, one of PAVE’s founding directors and a board member, is proud of its achievements. He told the Observer how the programme started, how it pulled from the positives of initiatives such as HEART/NSTA Trust and the National Youth Service, and its plans for the future.

“We are expanding in agriculture, expanding our reach, enhancing training resources and creating more opportunities for vulnerable youth to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment. To this end we have purchased the property at Winnifred, [now called] PAVE Winnifred. The construction is underway for the New Agricultural, Construction and Hospitality Campus. This is a major milestone for PAVE. This new campus is located near the world-famous Winnifred Beach. This expanded training facility will allow PAVE to significantly broaden its reach and course offerings,” he said.

The PAVE Winnifred campus will feature dedicated training spaces for agriculture including hydroponics, poultry farming, and beekeeping. Its new hospitality training centre has been designed to mirror real-life hotel environments. There is also an outdoor, practical, learning area for crop production and sustainable farming, as well as a community-supported hub where local youth can access vocational education close to home.

“Once completed, PAVE Winnifred will become a central location for agricultural innovation and tourism education in Portland, opening doors for even more students who need a second chance,” Chanrai told the Observer.

PAVE is also deeply involved in serving the Portland community. It plays a key role in food distribution, hurricane relief, youth camps, and partnerships with local and international organisations.

“PAVE’s work extends far beyond the classroom — its staff and volunteers are committed to uplifting young people and strengthening families,” said Chairman James “Al” Merritt.

“As we celebrate our latest cohort of graduates, the centre continues to demonstrate the power of opportunity — showing that when young people are given the right guidance and skills they can build strong futures for themselves, their families, and their community,” he added.

Dominic Morgan, top student from the 2025 cohort, was pleased with his performance.

“I worked my butt off, that’s for sure. It was not easy, but it was fun because I had extremely supportive classmates and mentors to go through it. I think it’s mainly because of mixology. It was pretty fun, especially because we get to taste as much drinks as I wanted while mixing,” he said with a chuckle.

He credited culinary arts instructor Shimona Harris for telling him about PAVE. Morgan has big dreams.

“In the hospitality industry, it’s wide and I plan to do a lot more than just restaurants and desk, not housekeeping. But I’m going to do a lot more in the hospitality industry before I transfer to another industry. I’m going to start with this one because it’s the [most fun] so far,” he told the Observer.

Ultimately, he wants to start his own business.

“I would most likely open a café, a diner. Honestly, there’s a lot of things I want to open but I’m going to start off online and make my way there,” said the graduate of Port Antonio High School, former cadet, and student council representative.

He began working right after high school but plans to learn more about information technology, likely with the help of PAVE which he recommends to others without hesitation.

Sethaniah Duckett, who copped the Director’s Award during the graduation ceremony, also spoke glowingly of the many ways in which PAVE shaped his life.

“Self-worth classes have brought back so many emotional thoughts to me since my mother passed. I had built up walls, to hide the tears and so forth, and that kind of held me back. Thanks to Miss Comrie for her self-worth class and her talking life into every lesson she teaches… This training has taught me things that I never knew before: It’s that you’re never too small. Anything you want in life, it just takes you to make a move towards that, and you can achieve great things.

“To the PAVE family, I just want to say a big thank you for touching so many lives in a positive way,” said Duckett.

“Here at PAVE it’s not just a training centre; it’s like a big family and we’re all in this together.”

A visit to Winnifred revealed construction in progress on the main building, a new fowl coop almost completed, bee hives, and a chicken coop with birds.

Tashshenna Smith, who did the security course, is mulling her next steps now that PAVE has given her options.

“I have learnt a skill and it has opened a new opportunity for me. Some security companies have made offers but I have not decided as yet. I have done some work here already and would love to work here at PAVE utilising the skills I have learnt,” she said smiling.

The under-construction fowl coop at PAVE Winnifred

Gulu Chanrai (left) presenting the Director’s Award to Sethaniah Duckett.

Members of PAVE’s board (from left) Chairman James “Al” Merritt; Yvonne Blakey; Executive Director Audra Handel; Richard Thompson; and Gulu Chanrai. (Photos: Everard Owen)

PAVE’s top student Dominic Morgan (Photo: Everard Owen)