On Friday December 6, 2024, The Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service received a courtesy call from representatives of the St. John Ambulance International St. John Ambulance Trinidad and Tobago and the Furness Group of Companies, at the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) in St. Clair, Port of Spain.
The visit initiated discussions on collaboration between the MYDNS and St. John Ambulance Trinidad and Tobago, to recruit young men and women and expand youth volunteerism with their Ambulance Brigade.
This initiative aims to expose youth volunteers to a 16-hour Skills-Training Programme with Certification, that transfers credits for students interested in entering the University of the West Indies.
Minister Cummings, during the discussions, expressed his gratitude to St. John Ambulance Brigade, which has been in existence for a Thousand years, for considering the MYDNS to collaborate. Cummings stated, “Having the MYDNS and the St John Ambulance Trinidad and Tobago working together with our young people to become volunteers is important, as this collaboration can provide the skills and prepare them for National Service.”
Chairman and Chief Executive of Furness Group of Companies, Mr. William A. Ferreira, shared that “Youth involvement in the St John’s Ambulance Skills-Training Programme, has resulted in young people achieving their goals as medical professionals.” The Chairman added, “Having young persons in the Organization also adds a modern technological component that resonates with the times.”
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service 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.
Also in photo from left: MYDNS’s Director, Youth Affairs – Sean Ramrattan and Manager, Youth and Women in Agriculture – Aaliyah D’Hereaux-Collette, with St. John International’s Prior – Nigel G. Heath and Sub-Prior – Steve Evans; and St. John Trinidad and Tobago’s Deputy Chief Director and Director of Training – Kenneth John.
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