Vision 2050 IT programme kicks off

The Vision 2050 Information Technology (IT) training programme aimed at providing hundreds of financially challenged residents of West Rural St Andrew with the opportunity to learn and develop income-earning skills kicked off last week at the Red Hills Primary School with the registration of the first batch of an estimated 400 participants.

The programme being masterminded by Member of Parliament Paul Buchanan in partnership with the HEART Trust/NTA and the community-based NGO Vision 2050, led by DeWight Bannister, was officially launched two weeks ago by Technology Minister Philip Paulwell.

Initially, the programme is being conducted in five centres at the Oberlin High School, HEART Stony Hill and Above Rocks, Red Hills Community Centre and Cavaliers All-Age School. Nine additional centres will come on stream over the next three months.

The programme has no age limit and will be at three levels: basic IT for persons who are not computer literate; intermediate for persons at the CXC level and have IT experience; and advanced for persons who already have a working knowledge on how to write software programmes.

Addressing the launch, Buchanan urged participants to make full use of this chance as it could be the opportunity of a lifetime.

"Many of you have not had, or probably have not made use of other opportunities that may have come your way, but do not make this one pass you," charged Buchanan.

"It is an opportunity for you to learn a skill, upgrade what you may already know, and most of all, allow you to keep pace with the ever-expanding technology marketplace and better qualify you for employment locally and globally," said Buchanan.

He added that the programme was not for his political supporters, but for "every member of this community who wants to learn a skill that will take you away from looking handouts and enable you to earn a living and not depend on others for survival".