CASE and HEART students benefiting from Roots 21

PORTLAND:

SINCE ESTABLISHING a partnership arrangement with the Human Employment and Resource Training Trust/National Service Training Agency Trust (HEART/NSTA Trust), along with the College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE), Portland businessman, Telief ‘Peter’ Hall has been providing training to students in hospitality and entertainment.

The experience and knowledge gained by students from the two institutions have reportedly had far-reaching impact on their future with most of them gaining employment on cruise vessels, and some in the United States and Canada.

Among those that have benefited from the training and experience at Roots 21 during the summer work programme are Nasan Coley, Jayvaughn Page, Michael Palmer, Samoya Campbell, Johet Valentine, Akeem James, and Alecia Harvey.

Page, who came through HEART/NSTA Trust, is now the head chef at Roots 21, and according to him, the experience has worked wonders for him. He admitted that the title of head chef has come through years of experience at that restaurant.

“When I came to Roots 21, I didn’t know what to expect, but I decided to see how far it would go, and today it has made me into a better person and a full-time professional,” Page said.

“I would encourage young people to see how best they can come to Roots 21 to get the basic knowledge and experience in hospitality. It is really an opportunity for you to excel in the working world and there are absolutely no strings attached. I have seen dozens of young people gaining work experience and becoming certified and then moving on to better paying jobs overseas.

“I decided to remain in Jamaica, the country of my birth, to not only pass on what I have learned to others, but also to prepare scrumptious meals for people from here and abroad. Bookings to this restaurant, especially from foreigners, are rather encouraging. I feel very comfortable in this working environment, “ he added.

Additionally, Palmer, formerly of HEART/NSTA Trust, is now working at a five-star hotel in London; Valentine, also from HEART, is now managing a restaurant in Florida in the United States; Campbell and Coley, both from CASE, are now on the Work Abroad Programme, and Harvey, from CASE is the floor supervisor at Roots 21.

“There are many success stories about the upward movements of students from Roots 21, our fine dining restaurant, and also from our entertainment projects, to jobs overseas,” said Hall.

“These students are drawn from CASE and HEART/NSTA Trust and they are trained by us in waiter service and as mixologist. I get these students at a young age and they are trained in customer relations, food and beverage, customer service, event planning, logistics, and coordinating. I am encouraged by their attitude; they are well disciplined and eager to learn.

“This summer I am expecting a lot more students, especially from Titchfield High, Port Antonio High, HEART and CASE. I will ensure that they get a little stipend each week or fortnight to assist with their personal items and travelling. I am urging all business operators to at least extend that helping hand to students, which will go a far way in preparing them for the working world. All they require is to have the basic knowledge and experience that will pave the way for them,“ Hall concluded.

Approximately 90 students have received basic training at Roots 21 restaurant dating back from 2022, which also saw the programme suffering a major setback due to COVID-19. It was only in the summer of 2023 that the programme was restarted.