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Citizens Advicereau to set-uptraining centreBy Michael SivaTHE Citizens Advice Bureau is in the process of establishing a skllls-training centre, to better prepare the individuals who come to the Bureau for the jobs on the market.So many people come to the Bureau without any training whatsoever, and express the desire to work, said Mrs Hazel Montelth, Executive Director of the Bureau. Whenever we send a lot of these individuals out to jobs, we get complaints that they are not trained to da anything.”The centre should change all of that, Mrs Monteith said. After going through a few courses at the centre, the individuals should be able to cope with the demands of the various jobs which they areapplying for.*“The centre will include a number of courses that will make better employers out of Individuals.’ Mrs Monteith pointed out, “We will have courses In the art of home-making,k19“ TELEVISIONchild care, social work, and domestic helpers.”In terms of training helpers, the Bureau will have courses dealing with cooking, kitchen hygiene and telephone ethics. The centre is hoping to create a standard by which others can be judged.“Very often, individuals come in and are unable to produce references. Mrs Monteith said. 'A common response is that their former employers have migrated. As a result, they have nobody to refer them.CertificatesBy providing certificates at the end of the courses, the centre will seek to provide an alternative to these hard-to-get references.At present, the Bureau is havingAt present, the Bureau is having a few problems raising funds to complete construction on the centre. Originally, the cost was estimated at .just over $600,000, but with the rising prices and the declining dollar, the construction expenses have increased quite considerably.a few problems raising funds to complete construction on the centre. Originally, the cost was estimated at just over $600,000. but with the rising prices and the declining dollar, the construction expenses have Increased quite considerably.“Quite a few pledges have been made by a number of businesses in the area. However, wc still have a shortfall, and we are working towards bridging that gap. “In terms of the future, Mrs. Monteith Is also hoping to Introduce a dressmaking facility to the centre, if she can raise enough money to buy the necessary machinery. Because of the great demand for dressmaking, Mrs. Monteith is keen on acquiring enough machines to introduce this course.The Citizens Advice Bureau is under the patronage of Lady Glass-pole. and the Chairman is Mr. Bert Cooper. With branches in Kingston, May Pen and Ocho Rios, the Bureau seeks to address the problem of unemployment in Jamaica.“The Bureau is an Independent organization,’ Mrs Monteith said. ’It gives free, to all individuals, a confidential and impartial service of information and advice on all subjects. and makes responsible use of the experience gained.”Set up 17 years ago to give advice and information primarily to distressed citizens, the Bureau’s constituency has grown to over 28,000 persons, problems which cannot be handled by the Bureau are referred to appropriate agencies, Mrs. Monteith said.The Bureau also has a legal desk, with four volunteer lawyers, and a goodwill bargain centre, tar-
Newspaper Details
Kingston Gleaner
Kingston, Kingston, JM
Wed, May 16, 1990
Page 18
Full Page
Clipped by
Susun W.
USA 10 Feb 2019
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