The seven women who have signed up for the free construction programme at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College yesterday, November 15, 2017. Photo: VINO

From left: Vera J. James, mother and Earl V. N. James, son were commended by Mrs Judith Vanterpool, Vice President of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College for taking interest in the construction programme. Photo: VINO

Mr Gregory W. Adams, Director of Town and Country Planning Department addressing the audience about ethics and attitude in construction at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 during the registration and orientation session. Photo: VINO

Mrs Judith Vanterpool, Vice President of HLSCC speaking with persons that signed up for the free construction programme. Photo: VINO

This initiative came about after the territory was hit by category 5 hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 and the need that followed to prepare a skilled workforce in a range of technical trade to rebuild homes and businesses in the territory.

Registration and orientation began yesterday, November 15, 2017 on Tortola, and will continue on Virgin Gorda on Friday, November 17, 2017.

The courses will be offered over a 6 month period, from November 2017 to May 2018. Each course will last for 2 hours for each session and will meet twice a week on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

The college will be offering 10 short courses in Window Installation, Door Installation, Understanding Construction Basics for Home Owners, Managing Construction Projects, Building Refresher Course for Contractors, Basic Electricity, Basic Plumbing, Generator Maintenance and Repair and Construction Estimating, and Project Management.

Mother and son team

Vera J. James told our newsrooms that initially she brought her son to sign up but admitted that it caught her interest so she signed up as well.

"Based on what happened with Irma, we would want to get an input on what you are building and see if you can build better and stronger," explained Ms James.

In an invited comment, Earl V. N. James, son of Vera J. James, expressed that he signed up for the programme to "assist with the rebuilding in hopes to let everyone have a home again".

Meanwhile, Mrs Judith Vanterpool, Vice President of HLSCC expressed proudly that she is happy to be apart of another community outreach programme and especially proud that women are signing up as well.

She said, "You must be willing to start from the bottom. I am so impresses to see that women are here. It is time that we women get into that industry and not let our gender keep us down from being who we are and where we want to go. Women I want you to stay in the programme and stay at the top of your game."

"I'm completely out of a job" - Janet I. Gonsalves-Stoutt

Janet I. Gonsalves-Stoutt was among the group of women signing up for the construction programme.

She revealed that her reason for joining the programme was when she realised that she could not assist with the building aspect of the rebuilding in her community and it was something she was interested in.

"When I looked at the devastation of Irma in my community, it really touched me because I wish that I could have done something in the form of construction to help especially the elderly and those folks that have young kids. When I realised the most I could have done was clean up, it touched me. So when i heard about this initiative I said I would take advantage of it," said Mrs Gonsalves-Stoutt.

She disclosed that she will further her construction courses overseas and eventually become a certified electrician, while noting that she loves to work with voltage and current.

She further divulged that she was a waitress at Pusser's in West End and an owner of a store on Main Street but lost everything after Hurricane Irma.

"I'm completely out of a job. I'm just taking this initiative and making the best out of it. It's a stepping stone for me," Mrs Janet I. Gonsalves-Stoutt told our newsroom.