Block Transformation Unit's Coordinator, Marcus Stephen, addressing the audience at Project Dawn's Orientation.

On Friday, February 7th, 2025 an orientation was held with the new cohort of Project Dawn registrants at the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute.

The new and eager participants gathered together to start their new journey with the hospitality institute. The courses are being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment’s Project Dawn initiative.

The group made their selection from the five courses being offered are Homemakers, Bar Operations, Basic Trade Cookery, Basic Professional Housekeeping as well as Food and Beverage Service.

Courses will begin officially on Monday, February 10th, 2025.

Roderick Prescod, Acting Deputy Director of the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute, spoke to the group and encouraged them to take full advantage of the chance to be trained by one of the best hospitality institutions in the Caribbean.

Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte also gave remarks at the orientation session.

Speaking about the commendable growth that Project Dawn has seen, Mr. Hunte said: “We are so happy because we have moved from training last year [a total of] just over 350 people to the extent where [just] one of our training programmes will be 350 people…this year as we move into the new financial year we are looking to train not less than 1000 young people in Barbados."