Local youths given lease on life in mechanical apprenticeship
Branson Fahie, 20, Glenford Smith, 21, and Shamal Mitchell have been working with the mechanical team at Tola for approximately one year now and have been receiving hands on training under the watchful eyes of Mr Wong.
Wong indicated that he has been impressed with the progress the young men have made thus far and is keen on seeing them reach greater heights in their ambitious strides for higher learning.
Two of the young men, Fahie and Smith, have been enrolled in online courses at Penn Foster for training as Auto Repair Technicians to receive Automotive Service Association (ASA) certification and will hopefully be able to have their own mechanic business at some point in the near future. The programme is expected to take approximately three years to be completed.
Mitchell returned from a US college last year and joined the team after being unsuccessful in his efforts to acquire a job. “I learned a lot compared to when I started,” he said, “I couldn’t turn a wrench.”
Fahie and Smith had previously been enrolled in classes at the Marine Unit of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) for a period before they were recruited into the training programme at Tola Mitsubishi.
Smith, of Carrot Bay, took a course in Small Engine Repairs while Fahie, who hails from Lambert Estate, had done a course in Electrical Wiring but both are now receiving across-the-board training in the practical field of Mechanics.
Each of the young men expressed happiness about being involved in the programme. Shamal indicated that his training had opened his mind to the possibilities that were available to him and he felt this was a good opportunity.
Wong related that it was important to him that the parents were equally motivated and involved in the development of the youths as this served as a boost of encouragement to drive them towards achieving success.
The Managing Director said he was hopeful that his programme can spur other businesses to also take similar initiatives and support youths within the community who are willing to learn and become involved in various areas of self-improvement.
“I will be proud to know that I have guys who have trained at my place who will be qualified to [start their own businesses],” he expressed.
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