VTC trainees staying busy amid school closure |27 October 2021
After a six month-long hiatus, the trainees are back to an unconventional and hands-on learning environment by attending various ateliers to develop useful skills pending the facility's major renovation.
These weekly ateliers hosted by public and non-profit organisations are equipping the trainees at the Vocational Training Centre (VTC) with knowledge and best practices pertaining to life skills, home economics, arts, agriculture, and horticulture.
The main hosting organisations are the Seychelles Scout Association, the Seychelles Institute of Arts and Design (SIAD), and the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH).
These organisations were sought by the Elderly and Disabled Division under the aegis of the Family Department to help assist and keep the trainees occupied with positive activities during the school closure.
The division’s director for Disabled, Marco Gerry, said that the closure caused an
inconvenience for all stakeholders involved but it was inevitable that the facility would have to undergo renovations.
“Aside from the renovation of the building, prior to Covid-19, there were plans
to restructure this facility in terms of the programmes on offer, the manpower and to establish an entry and exit strategy with the aim of preparing the trainees to enter the world of work,” Mr Gerry said.
“With these ateliers we can identify their interest and also explore their ability to adapt to knowledge and practices that may well integrate into their future curriculum,” he added.
During an exchange with the Seychelles Scout Association chief commissioner, Bettymai Sofa, she explained that the ateliers taking place are aligned with their 2021 project; to build the capacity of youth, and also, the strategic priority of the World Scout Organisation which is promoting diversity and inclusivity.
“This project is basically a life skills programme aimed at promoting independence and wellbeing. It is funded by the National Grant and supported by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family,” Mrs Sofa said.
“The trainees have adapted really well to the different ateliers but to be
honest it was more a learning experience for us the facilitators as it enabled us to assess and understand their needs, of which we will add to our project outcome and present to the ministry to guide the development of future programmes,” she added.
The ateliers were facilitated by Greena Cupidon, a retired teacher with 35 years’ experience working with children with special needs assisted by her husband Brian Cupidon and Anne-Marie Dufresne, a scout volunteer.
To recall, last month the principal secretary for the family department, Clive Roucou, gave an update regarding the VTC facility based at North East Point.
A meeting will be convened this week to finalise the new building plan and funding.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family calls upon all interested organisations and volunteers willing to help to contact their office via email at info@gov.sc or call the Elderly and Disabled Division on 4397979.
The accompanying photographs show some highlights of the ateliers.
Contributed
