Port of Spain, April 05, 2022: Minister of Youth Development and National Service, the Honourable Foster Cummings, today, “kicked off” the long-awaited refurbishment and construction works at the Persto Praesto Youth Development and Apprenticeship Centre in Freeport.
During his feature address, Minister Cummings stated “the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is very serious about the development of our young people.”
“The reintroduction of this Youth Development and Apprenticeship Centre is part of a very targeted programme, designed to re-introduce mass technical-vocational training throughout our youth population so that we prepare them for the world of work, but we also prepare them as budding entrepreneurs and job creators, as we move forward to the sustainable development of our young people,” Minister Cummings explained.
Also speaking at this morning’s event was Chief Executive Officer of the National Maintenance Training and Security Company Limited (NMTS), Mr. Lennox Rattansingh, who expressed the Company’s commitment to working closely with the contractors to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of the project, which is expected to be completed in eighteen (18) months.
The National Maintenance Training and Security Company Limited is the project manager for the refurbishment and construction works at the facility. The works will consist of the construction of 4 new buildings; 2 two-storey structures to accommodate both trainees and staff, a new music theatre and a new dining hall. Refurbishment works will be executed on all existing buildings including the basketball court. Additionally, upgrade works will be executed on the existing electrical, plumbing, sewer, and fire suppression systems.
The Persto Praesto Youth Development and Apprenticeship Centre will provide a Residential Development Programme for young males, which would incorporate technical-vocational skills as well as a holistic approach to the personal development and empowerment of our nation’s youth.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to promote youth development and encourages civic-minded citizens to contribute to national service across Trinidad and Tobago.
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