Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Joy Adamson, delivering her remarks at Project Dawn's graduation ceremony.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Joy Adamson in her welcome remarks at the Project Dawn Graduation on Thursday, January 23rd, stated that the Ministry will continue to equip young people in Barbados with the tools to impact their lives.

Noting that the Ministry presents a diverse range of opportunities by providing a platform to learn, develop, and to be heard, through partnerships, events and opportunities, the Permanent Secretary stated that the Block Committee was reconstructed in June 2023 under the leadership of then Youth Commissioner Marcus Stephen, now the Project Co-ordinator of the Block Transformation Unit, which administers Project Dawn.

Under the Block Committee, several blocks were visited and the team interacted with young persons across Barbados. Referrals were also received from various entities including rehab groups, the Barbados Police Service, educational institutions, Guidance Counsellors, Members of Parliament and Youth Commissioners.

Project Dawn, through partnerships with the educational institutions, facilitated 12 programmes at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute, seven at the Barbados Community College, seven at the Barbados Vocational Training Board and one at the Ministry’s Sky Mall office in hair braiding.

The certified programmes included: Landscaping, Hair braiding, Car Valet, Cosmetology, Basic Carpentry, Cake and Pastry-making, Homemakers Programme, Basic Trade Cookery, Wig Making, Nail Technology, Interior Decorations, Bobcat Operations, Barbering, Plumbing for Homeowners, Beauty Technology, Carpentry, Masonry, amongst others.

Mrs. Adamson congratulated the graduands and stated: “the Ministry is proud of the programme and its achievements and will continue to support the Block Transformation Unit, building tomorrow today, block by block."