INTRODUCTION
Former national athlete Donisha Calliste is preparing to open a small restaurant in her neighbourhood, while continuing work in the construction industry. “I have many skills – sports, hairdressing and construction but my passion is athletics and I enjoy volunteering at our community sports club”, she shared. She is a 23-year-old mother and single parent to a two-year-old little girl who lives in the community of Seamon, St. Andrew, Grenada.
LIFE NOW vs THEN
Donisha during practical training at FOPD. Photo credits: Donisha Calliste
As a graduate of CVQ level 2 Construction, Donisha was employed in the construction industry for approximately 3 months. She pursued that sector for employment opportunities because Grenada’s economic growth is driven by infrastructure development. “My experience was very rewarding as everyone was treated fairly and equally, there was no differentiation between a male or female worker”, explained Donisha. However, COVID-19 and government regulations affected the sector significantly. Unable to provide employment for herself, Donisha was uncertain about her next steps. During that period, Faith Organisation for People’s Development (FOPD) training centre was conducting community outreach for eligible youth under the SkYE-Funded TVET courses. Donnisha told us, “I was happy to register for the Level 2 Food Preparation Course since I was interested in being a cook and I saw this as a lucrative opportunity to be self-employed”.
Having successfully completed the enrolment process and life skills, the technical training was very exciting, “I looked forward to attending classes, we had great team-spirit and the instructor (Ms. Joy Nicholas) was very patient. She used a variety of ways and tools to lessons which helped us to better understand”. When training transitioned to virtual learning, attending classes were very challenging “Online classes were a struggle because internet was slow or unstable most times, therefore, I missed a lot of information. Fortunately, we had remedial classes when face-to-face classes resumed, although it resulted in an extended training period”, explained Donisha.
UKaid SUPPORT
Donisha is one of twenty-four (24) trainees in the CVQ Level 2 Food Preparation Course. FOPD partnered with SkYE to deliver training to eighty (80) trainees under three (3) courses: Fashion Design, Food Preparation and Sous Chef. The Organisation is housed at the Telescope Community Centre which was restored to provide a place of recreation, socialisation and learning for the community. This Community has one of the highest incidences of poverty.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT
“I would recommend this training to anyone especially young persons as a lucrative skillset in this country. Furthermore, I would like to commend SkYE for the initiative, it has changed my life in that I do not have to rely on someone else (like in construction) for employment”, said Donisha confidently. She hopes to expand her small business with the support of government’s small business programs in the near future. Ms. Nicholas assertively shared that “Donisha has been consistent in class participation and application throughout training, she has a unique creative touch which was evident in practical and presentation. Given the opportunity, she will thrive in the food industry”.
FACTS
Skills for Youth Employment (SkYE) is a four-year, UKaid funded programme to provide certified skills training for 6,000 disadvantaged young people, including those challenged by disability, in four Eastern Caribbean countries: Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent & the Grenadines. The Programme will develop a more productive and inclusive workforce in sectors with good economic growth potential.
SkYE is supporting national training authorities and training providers to make systemic improvements to the development, delivery and quality assurance of technical, vocational education and training (TVET) in the four focus islands through targeted capacity building.
