Skills Training Center

St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church is located in White Wing, a severely impoverished, inner-city neighborhood in Kingston. The church conducts many different outreaches to the community including a feeding program and a primary school. Over the years, Food For The Poor has helped the parish in a variety of ways and are currently scheduled to rebuild the houses in the area of White Wing that were decimated by a fire.

St. Pius X sponsors many social programs in this disadvantaged neighborhood. Father Burchell McPherson, The parish priest is dedicated to addressing the employment problem among the young people in the community. Without adequate vocational training, they are adding to Jamaica’s high rate of unemployment. In acquiring a marketable skill, however, these individuals will become self-sufficient, improve their self-esteem, and develop confidence in managing their lives and their families.

One of Food For The Poor’s long-term, on-going projects is funding the operating expenses for the St. Pius X Skills Training Center, which is located on the church grounds. The school offers vocational instruction in cosmetology, catering (baked goods), and sewing; programs that are in great demand in the community. The facility is primarily directed at unskilled and unemployed women living in the inner city who are unable to pay the fees required by other skills training institutions. The center operates four days a week (Monday thru Thursday) from 9am to 3 pm, offering courses from September to May. Those who qualify for certification must pass theory and practical evaluations prior to their May graduation.

Prior to starting classes students are given an entrance exam to assess their reading and writing skills. English and math are taught as part of the regular curriculum with remedial classes offered to those lacking proficiency. The school assists in placing the students in internships to encourage on the job experience. The center’s success is evident in the feedback from the intern employers who frequently comment on how well the students are trained and, whenever possible, with employment offers to the students.

Completing the program is an accomplishment that could mean the difference between living in abject poverty or becoming a productive member of society who can provide support and sustenance for family members. Fr. Burchell believes that the school is making a difference not only in their individual lives but also in the community as a whole.
 

 

Home | Rectory Office | Mass Schedule | Sacraments | Ministries
Email | Directions | Links | Bulletin | Biographies | Youth Ministry | News
Patron Saint | Cemetery | Parish History | Outreach