Upliftment! - Graduates of D&G Foundation’s forklift training programme ready for new opportunities

When this newspaper spoke with Junior Lawrence on the first day of his forklift training in July, the Parade Gardens resident was brimming with excitement as he saw the training as an opportunity through which to uplift himself and provide for his children.

The 32-year-old single father was among 20 young persons who gathered at Thompson's Trucking and Equipment in Kingston to be trained in the highly demanded area of forklift operating. The programme is sponsored by The Desnoes and Geddes (D&G) Foundation in collaboration with DECS Management & Logistics Services Limited and Project STAR. 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 month-long training, Lawrence was last month recognised as the 'Most Outstanding Trainee'. He said that hard work and teamwork were essential ingredients in completing the course and he now looks to the future with optimism.

"The opportunity was more than worth it for me because I have a skill that is now in demand, and I look forward to a full-time job and more professional opportunities," he said.

Another of the newly minted graduates, Shenel Coke, reminisced about the transformative journey, which saw her overcome difficulties and be recognised as 'Most Improved Trainee'.

"I struggled with operating the machine, and, for a while, I was a bit concerned about my result, but our programme coordinator, Mr [Patrick] Pottinger, was very patient with me, and allowed me to redeem myself. That time, I knew I wanted to get it right, and with the help of my classmates, especially, Nicko Rhoden, I finished successfully, and now I'm learning even more during my internship," Coke said.

For his part, Rhoden, valedictorian and 'Apex Civic Awardee', shared his profound gratitude on behalf of the cohort, to all sponsoring organisations.

"We are so thankful to everyone who brought us to this point of certification; they believed in us, gave us a shot, and elevated our qualifications to put us in a better position. I want to encourage the D&G Foundation, Project STAR and DECS Management & Logistics Services Limited not to let this remain a pilot programme. Allow it to grow and continue to do a great job at helping the youths. To all interested in the programme, take advantage of the opportunity and give it 103 per cent," he said.

Five graduates have already received full-time employment in partnership with DECS Management & Logistics Services Limited, and the Foundation is actively working to have the remaining class placed. All graduates are guaranteed to receive full-time employment.