The Department of Youth and Culture (DYC) has been recently working with the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTA) to establish a programme that trains interested females, age 16 and over, in skills of building and construction work. This vision has been realized especially due to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma where so many women who had been employed at hotels and other areas of the tourism sector had become unemployed.
According to DYC’s Programme Officer, Avon Carty, in formal terms the new scheme is called Women in Construction Apprenticeship Program, and it has been made possible through the collaboration of the European Union’s OCTA Innovation.
Ms. Carty stated: “The Women in Construction Apprenticeship Programme is part of a regional initiative that is two-fold: it aims to (1) preserve our building culture, and (2) encourage women’s participation and inclusion in the construction sector.
“This programme is intended to establish training which will facilitate the involvement of women in the construction industry. It will cater to women who wish to pursue a career in the construction industry. Although it is described as an apprenticeship initiative, apprentice work will not be the sole component of the programme. A high element of structured training, both practical and theoretical, will be included. Skills acquired in this training will give women an opportunity to have further employment during Anguilla’s ‘slow season’”.
The Department of Youth and Culture has engaged Mr. Stanley Reid, of SER Legal & Consultancy Services, as the consultant for the new programme. Mr. Reid commented: “Traditionally a lot of our construction men have worked their way up over many years of experience in the field without certification as such. We applaud their skills, for they know their work.
“However, the great thing about the Women in Construction Apprenticeship Program is that women who participate will be properly certified, for training will be conducted under the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) body. All women with interest in construction work would be encouraged to take advantage of this area of training where they can become specialists in electrical installation, plumbing, tiling, painting or even as heavy equipment operators.”
The rollout of the program is scheduled to take place within the next couple weeks, according to information from Ms. Avon Carty. Females wishing to enlist in the program may contact Ms. Carty at the Department of Youth and Culture at 498-3729 or 497-0969.
