Government is providing an opportunity for casual workers at the National Housing Corporation (NHC) to learn new skills.
This was emphasised by Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland, during a press conference at Tichbourne, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael, yesterday, at the site where 331 persons are receiving on the job training, while working on twelve transition houses.
“We have taken 331 … workers and we’re upskilling those workers, giving them the necessary skills …. Those young men and of course women have come on and be part of the whole cladding process to ensure that we have these 12 units ready within the next two months,” Minister Sutherland said.
The workers have signed up for various training, including carpentry, steel bending, masonry, plastering, and Bobcat operations.
Mr. Sutherland also noted that the Ministry would be utilising the 425 casual workers from his Ministry, along with the 1,500 workers from the Ministry of Transport Works and Water Resources’ Ash Programme.
“We’re giving these young men and women who had no skills, the opportunity to learn a skill and become entrepreneurs, own their own businesses and come back to provide a service to the National Housing Corporation,” the Housing Minister stated.
Additionally, Mr. Sutherland highlighted that the houses being built were part of the 10,000 houses initiative, and the Ministry was on course to complete the construction of 350 houses this financial year.