Budding forklift operators look to raise their life prospects

Growing up in the tough inner-city community of Parade Gardens in Central Kingston, Rushawn Williams, 18, is hoping to be an inspiration to the youth.

So when he heard about a training and certification programme for forklift operators, he instantly jumped at the opportunity. Yesterday, he was among a group of young men who showed up at Thompson's Trucking and Equipment for the training. It is being held by The Desnoes and Geddes (D&G) Foundation in collaboration with DECS Management & Logistics Services Limited and Project STAR.

Williams, who also has an eye on a music career, operates a studio in Southside with a friend

"We a try better wi self by doing music. We also a try help other youths who wah do music as well. Mi leave school last year and mi never wah sit down and nah du nutten. Suh when mi hear about it through one of my friend dem, mi just say let me do it," he said.

The programme was designed to increase the number of certified forklift operators in Jamaica, expand the safety operations of companies, and ultimately improve production coverage and productivity. Following the one-month training, graduates have an opportunity to find gainful and meaningful employment through internships. Twenty days of paid internship follow the training. At least 21 trainees will receive practical and soft skills training from expert forklift trainer Patrick Pottinger.

For Williams, getting certified is an avenue for financial breakthrough for him and his family.

"Where mi live, mi see nuff people get hurt who not in any war, so mi stay far from it as possible. Mi try do something different because getting involved in war just a go put pressure on my family, especially my mother mostly," he said. He also stated that there are times when he is negatively profiled, partly because of his appearance.

"When yuh live in a community like mine and look like how I look bleach out and have tattoos, police gonna mostly stop yuh. Suh this course can make a difference in my life and let people know that a lot of times, our appearance doesn't speak for who we are and what we can become. We can be great and that is what I am going to be," Williams added.

Junior Lawrence, 31, from Hanover Street, admitted that he didn't know about the programme until after another resident couldn't take up the offer.

"When I heard, I was anxious and just wanted to get on board. I have been through a lot of driving work, done mechanic work, suh mi always a do sumpn. I know this will do well for me and I plan on going overseas to work when I get certified, because as a single father mi always a try. Them stepmother is there with them, but I want to make things right by them. Mi live in a war-prone area suh we just try stay on the safe side every time. I know my grounds and know the boundaries and just a stay on the right part of the fence," he said.

Pottinger said forklift operators are always in need globally.

"Canada is taking a lot of the operators and almost everywhere so the potential for work is there for all of them. All these youths need is just will power and they will succeed, and in the past, we have had people who have never driven a motor car before and we have trained them in three days to operate a forklift. The energy is great so far, as they are asking the right questions and the enthusiasm is there," Pottinger said.

The D&G Foundation worked alongside Project STAR to identify and select unemployed youth within underserved communities. The D&G team will pay for trainees to obtain practical and soft skills training, provide daily lunch for participants, and grant a daily travel stipend during the programme. Following certification, DECS Management will offer internships to the trainees and engage the graduates at Red Stripe or Celebration Brands Limited after a successful internship.