March 21, 2016: On Monday March 21, 2016, the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Darryl Smith will deliver the feature address to the 2016 graduating class, of the Chatham and Persto Praesto Youth Development and Apprenticeship Centres. The joint graduation will take place at the Naparima Bowl, 19 Paradise Pasture, San Fernando, commencing at 2:00pm.
A total of fifty-eight trainees will graduate from the Youth Development and Apprenticeship centres.
The Youth camps are residential developmental training institutions, which cater to the needs of “at risk” youths between the ages of fifteen (15) to eighteen (18), by engaging them in various ways that will enhance their skills and competencies, while promoting a positive and healthy life style.
The Centres focus on skills and competencies development as well as character development, grooming the young men into respectable leaders who are better equipped to positively impact our society.
The Centres were exclusively geared towards agriculture, but its curriculum has expanded to include other vocational programmes. Some of their programmes include Plumbing, Welding, Electrical Installation, Masonry, Auto Mechanics, Carpentry and Computer Repairs. This has allowed the young men to receive the required support and build their academic portfolio making them more marketable. During the two year programme, the young men also engage in in sporting and cultural activities, spiritual/moral development and cooperative and small business development. On successful completion of the programme the trainees receive Level I National Examination Council Certificates.
Over the fifty (50) years of existence, both Centres have helped to mould the nation’s youth by providing an environment that will not only lead to their holistic personal development but that of the nation as well.
The Chatham and Persto Praesto Youth Centres opened their doors in December 1964 and October 1966 respectively. To date over 17,000 young men have graduated from the camps, many of whom have become very successful professionals.
The media is invited to cover this event. The Honourable Minister together with a few of the trainees will be available for interviews with the media.
For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs
868-625-5622 ext. 5040