Thirty young persons from various communities across Dominica have graduated from a Small Outboard Engine Repair and Boat Building & Repair Apprenticeship Program.
The training cost about $70,000, and took place in three communities namely: Fond St Jean, San Sauveur and Layou during a three-month period.
Participants were presented with certificates and a plastic tool storage kit to assist in boat repairs at a ceremony on Wednesday.
The program is an initiative of the Ministry of Trade, Energy and Employment through its apprenticeship program in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and KID, an NGO based in Switzerland.
“Overall what we are trying to do through the Ministry of Employment and particularly through the apprenticeship program is to lower the national unemployment rate,” Director of the Apprenticeship Program, Vincent Etienne said. “These objectives were all achieved today up to this moment with the graduation of the persons who are here today. The graduands, they dedicated their time and they put a lot of effort in obtaining the various skill sets that they are involved with.”
Furthermore, he stated that the training will impact on persons from Petite Savanne to Dubique, who suffered tremendously from the ravages of Tropical Storm Erika.
“Those participants, they showed extreme courage and never once did I see a request for pity, they showed determination to succeed and continuously expressed satisfaction for the opportunity that was given to them,” he stated.
Etienne encouraged persons who have benefited from the program to get involved in starting their own business and “when you do succeed, remain gainfully employed.”
“And those of you who are seeking employment please when you gain the employment please try your best to remain in there,” he noted.
Meantime, MP for St. Joseph, Kelver Darroux said following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, he informed Ian Douglas, the minister responsible for the Apprenticeship Program to implement some programs geared at repairing boats within his constituency.
“Because after Erika a number of boats were damaged and destroyed and the fishermen wanted to get back out there using their boats and their engines,” he noted. “I was very happy to see that program kick-start because really and truly the government will not be able to employ everybody. Whenever you are able to pass on skills to the individuals you empower them and give them the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families by enriching them with these skills.”
Darroux said that the boat building is very important because fishing is a very lucrative sector.
“It is an area that I believe that once our fishermen are properly managed and they have the resources and the equipment they can make a lot of money from fishing,” he explained. “You can well imagine the economic impact that we can get from fishing. We need individuals who have the skills and the mindset to build the boats, to have repairs done to boats…so that we can see an ongoing business as it relates to fishing, because without a boat you cannot fish.”
Darroux encouraged the graduates to never give up and to continue to pursue their goals.
“Get better at the skill that you have learnt,” he said.
The Small Outboard Engine Repair program was facilitated by Joseph Julien, while the Boat Building and Repair were conducted by Bertley Carrette.
I see three of my cousins from Layou… Edmond genes. mwah.
wonderful! now where are they going to find jobs to put their newly acquired skills to good use??
mOST OF THEM are working with their facilitator and the others are fishermen of their communities.
Is there a market to repair boats in Dominica/
Is there a market for fixing cars and trucks, and vans, and buses in Dominica? What would your answer be?
Not every driver of a vehicle can repair a vehicle if something goes wrong.
Likewise not every fisherman can repair his boat or engine.
Great initiative! These programs are truly needed in our communities. Empowerment is certainly the way to go.
May I suggest that we do a similar training in net repair. This skill is becoming rear in Dominica and on the verge of becoming extinct. Its a remarkable skill for fishermen and associates. I admire the few men who seat at the bay side and mend net.