‘SJPP should take lead’

The Chief Executive Officer of Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW) believes that as Barbados looks at new emerging industries, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) should be the lead educational institution.

“Providing those technical skills that will be necessary for some of these new emerging industries, particularly around Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) and now more specifically the cultural industries,” Rodney Grant explained, during the launch and orientation of the “Sound Technology Course”, held at SJPP.

“I would hope that as we look at our educational thrust going forward, that SJPP will get the type of support that is necessary for it to be that lead institution, as we seek to carve out a path for particularly the cultural industries”.

Starting February 11, 15 young and mature adults will participate in the course which is a result of a strategic partnership PCW forged with the SJPP to bolster the “Youth Beyond Expectations Initiative”, funded by The Maria Holder Memorial Trust.

PCW, through the support of The Maria Holder Memorial Trust has been able to implement the first phase of its internal capacity building strategy over the last year. Although the focus has been to strengthen the organisation for greater self-sufficiency and financial viability, other community organisations, groups and individuals benefited from the myriad of programmes offered throughout the process.

Grant said that the course being delivered by SJPP, can add considerable value to the much-needed technical services that will be managed by the PCW and can in turn be made readily available to the cultural sector, especially with CARIFESTA on the horizon.

It was also noted that recent research on the sector has identified the technical areas like sound and lighting as crucial to the enhanced professionalism of these service offerings and the cultural sector.

“Barbados is seen as a cultural hub because Barbados is such an important hub for the development of culture, it is almost a necessity to pay attention to these types of practical programmes, to be able to facilitate the need that would be required to support this booming industry that we are developing in Barbados,” he observed.

This timely partnership with the SJPP also offers an excellent opportunity for participants who are considered capable and/or competent to obtain the CVQ/NVQ qualification. (TL)