Growth & Jobs | D&G Foundation welcomes third cohort of Forklift Training Programme

THE DESNOES & Geddes (D&G) Foundation, in collaboration with DECS Management & Logistics Services Limited and Project STAR, has officially welcomed the third cohort of its forklift operator training programme. Designed to enhance workplace safety, boost productivity, and provide opportunities to underserved youth, the initiative underscores the foundation’s commitment to community empowerment and economic growth.

Formally launched on July 17, 2023, the programme offers a comprehensive one-month training regimen under the expert guidance of experienced forklift trainer Patrick Pottinger. Trainees receive both practical and soft skills training, equipping them for real-world challenges. Upon completion, participants gain a distinct advantage with 20 days of paid internships facilitated by DECS Management, paving the way for potential employment at Red Stripe or Celebration Brands Limited. Two weeks ago, more than 20 trainees began their training sessions as part of this initiative.

Among the trainees is 23-year-old Dajhun Wright, a security officer from Kingston, for whom the programme represents a pivotal career shift. Juggling night shifts to attend daytime training, Wright shared: “It’s a valid and enjoyable learning experience. I prefer it over my security job now. At first, it was difficult, but the more you learn, the easier it gets. From my perspective, it opens your mind to different perspectives about possibilities. A youth can be in the ‘ghetto’ and think he has nothing to do, and a programme like this comes along and piques his interest.”

For 33-year-old Alrick ‘Mark X’ Callahan from Havana Heights, Clarendon, who previously worked as a welder for over a decade, the programme offers a vital new opportunity. Seeking an alternative to a trade that adversely affected his eyesight, Callahan expressed gratitude for the programme, stating: “A programme like this is so important because I wouldn’t have been able to afford the course on my own. For Project STAR and the D&G Foundation to come together and make it possible for us is truly amazing. Even though it’s sometimes hard to find the fare, we make the effort because this programme is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It gives me hope. I believe that if more programmes like this existed in Jamaica, there would be less violence. It shows people that there’s a bigger picture – there’s so much more out there.”

Eze Mellad, a 25-year-old from Clarendon, starts his day at 4 a.m. to participate in the training. Previously a construction worker, he aspires to operate more complex machinery such as cranes. “The trainers actually work with you and guide you through the steps. Both society and youth can be helped through this. This is a skill, and in modern times, skills are needed. It can help the economy grow faster and, hopefully, open opportunities in different countries. It’s good, especially for young people who don’t have any qualifications. You don’t have to give up, and it’s nice that the D&G Foundation gave this to us for free,” Mellad remarked.

For some, like Rohan Gardner, the programme serves as a stepping stone towards full-time employment at Red Stripe. Others, like Sheldon Gray, have already experienced its positive impact. “It’s interesting. I love it. I’m enjoying myself so far. It’s a learning process that’s good for us. It gets us off the streets. I want to work at Red Stripe. I usually help my mom in the shop and with her pigs. I don’t like to sit down, so I always make myself handy,” Gray shared.

The programme’s holistic design imparts technical skills as well as fosters personal growth and resilience. Targeting participants from underserved communities creates pathways to stable employment while reducing social vulnerabilities. As the D&G Foundation, DECS Management, and Project STAR continue their partnership, they remain steadfast in their mission to cultivate a skilled and productive workforce in Jamaica.

Through initiatives like these, the D&G Foundation continues to champion impactful programmes that inspire hope, uplift communities, and drive sustainable development. This forklift training programme exemplifies the power of collaboration in creating meaningful change for the nation’s youth.

“At the D&G Foundation, we believe in unlocking potential and transforming lives through meaningful opportunities. The Forklift Training Programme, in addition to being a skills training, is a catalyst for empowerment, financial independence, and long-term economic resilience for Jamaica’s young adults. By equipping participants with technical training and real-world experience, we are investing in a stronger, more capable workforce that will drive Jamaica’s future,” said Foundation Director Dianne Ashton-Smith.