Member of Parliament for St. John, Mara Thompson and Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steve Blackett, tour the new computer lab at the Gall Hill Resource Centre in St. John on Monday. (C.Pitt/BGIS)
Young people will get the opportunity to enhance their information technology skills as the 2017 edition of the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development’s ITS for Teens Programme gets under way at 15 resource centres across the island.
Minister of Social Care, Steve Blackett, made the disclosure recently during a ceremony to rename the Gall Hill Community Centre, St. John, to the Gall Hill Resource Centre.
Mr. Blackett said the ITS programme would allow teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 to “unleash” their creativity; be more innovative; and network with other young people.
According to the Minister, the programme caters to 300 students annually and it continues to attract teenagers from various communities. “This results in a wide cross section of adolescents working together in a positive environment and forming lasting friendships and bonds…,” he added.
During the six-week programme, Mr. Blackett said students would be taught IT, Computer Graphics, Microsoft Office Suite and Web Page Design. They will also be challenged to create a project on Community Tourism that would put their analytical and critical thinking skills to the test.
“To you teen participants, please be mindful that this programme is in great demand. You are fortunate to have been given this wonderful opportunity; grasp it with both hands. Have fun; make a new friend but most of all, ensure that you learn as much as you can,” the Social Care Minister advised.