The CAR-19 pre-technology programme is part of a broader group of programmes that are being developed in collaboration with the CARICOM Education for Employment Programme (C-EFE) funded by the Canadian federal government, and the Youth Skills Development Programme (YSD) funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). Through this collaboration (C-EFE/YSD, 2014)
This exciting Yacht Maintenance Course began on 1 September 2015, and will continue for 10 weeks, after which there will be a two week internship period, for the participants to receive hands-on training. Of the forty eight youth (between the ages of 15 and 25 years) who registered, forty two (40 males and 2 females) started the training.
Category Archives: Youth
Mentoring Workshop
On Wednesday, 12 August, the Scotiabank/CoESL’s Bridging the Gap Project & Regional Conference culminated with the hosting of a Business Mentoring Workshop, hosted by GARD Center- the affiliate and representative for CoESL in Antigua.
This event was held in the conference room of the Environmental Division on Parliament Drive, with 15 participants mostly under the age of 35, who operate businesses in e-commerce, agro-processing, agriculture, craft, natural hair products, and graphic designing. Six of these already have established small businesses, while the other nine attendees were ‘potential’ entrepreneurs.
CoESL which abbreviates for Caribbean Centre of Excellence and Sustainable Livelihoods is a Caribbean partnership of islands that focus and advocate strongly on providing sustainable development through entrepreneurship in the Caribbean. CoESL’s initiative includes other participating territories such as St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Belize, Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Kitts & Nevis.
The topic of this Mentoring workshop was, ‘Bookkeeping: Leveraging and Separating Your Personal and Business Finances’ which was presented by Lorraine Perry, the Regional Sales Manager of the Eastern Caribbean for Scotiabank.
Each participating island was responsible for identifying a suitable topic for the workshop. The GARD Center’s Business Development Officer- Johan Oliver, selected this topic based on needs from previous training exercises.
August 12 was recognized as International Youth Day. It was welcoming to acknowledge the young entrepreneurs who were present for the workshop, including past students of the GARD Center who are currently operating small businesses in sustainable ventures such as farming, agro-processing, and craft. The discussions and interaction were very well received by all participants as Scotiabank and their representatives maintained a high energy level and informative environment. Scotiabank also provided paraphernalia and prizes during the workshop in gratitude of the enthused participants.
The GARD Center and its Business Development Unit continues to provide business support services to all youth and young entrepreneurs. Commencing September 2015, the Center will be hosting Business Management Courses for a period of twelve (12) weeks, which will include marketing and sales, cost and pricing, finance and budgeting, customer service, and computer literacy.
Registration is ongoing until the end of August. Please call 734-0084 or 463-4121 for more information.
Farm-to-Table Luncheon
The GARD Center held its inaugural Farm-to-Table Luncheon at the Gilbert Agro-Heritage Center, Mercers Creek, on Saturday, 18 April 2015. This exquisite, unique, outdoor dining experience was enjoyed by over 140 visitors.
This fundraiser planned as part of the Center’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, was aimed at raising money for the continuation of the Center’s operation and to implement subsidized training courses for vulnerable youth.
Delicious local meals were prepared by our local volunteer chefs, Caleb; Jarvis; Simon; Simpson; with local produce grown and supplied by our farmers. Even the centerpieces on the tables were ‘tastefully’ done, and created with locally grown vegetables.
Excellent music was provided by the Cool and Smooth Ebonites Steel Orchestra and DJ Riddim Master.
The Fisheries Division provided tastings of Squid chowder and Conch chowder; Squid patties and Smoked Doctor Fish, much to the delight of everyone who was curious enough to try the various delicacies.
The GARD Center looks forward to hosting its second Farm-to-Table Luncheon, early in 2016, and we look forward to having you join us.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers, advisors, farmers and chefs, who gave so generously of their produce, time and talent. The Center also wishes to thank Corporate Antigua and Barbuda, the Friends of GARD Center, and those who sold and/or purchased tickets, or contributed to this fundraiser in any way.
GARD Center – Japanese Human Security Project
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center celebrates the Japanese Government Funds Project for Extension of a Skill Training Center in Antigua and Barbuda. This is the second project awarded by the People of Japan to the GARD Center.
The signing ceremony for the Grant Assistance for the Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP) entitled “The Project for Extension of a Skill Training Center for Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center” took place at 10:00 a.m. on March 6, 2015, at Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center (GARD Center), Nature Park, Mercers Creek, Antigua and Barbuda.
Ms. Jacqueline Yearwood, a GARD Center Board Member, was the Master of Ceremonies and extended a warm welcome to those present. The Ceremony was opened with a word of prayer by Rev. Patmore Henry, Secretary, to the Methodist Church. Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director of the Center, spoke about the Background of the Project and remarks were offered by, Rev. Otto Wade, President, Methodist Conference; His Excellency, Anthony Liverpool, Non-Resident Ambassador of Antigua & Barbuda to Japan and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Hon. Melford Nicholas, and the Minister of Information, Telecommunications, Science and Technology; along with Mr. Takafumi Ura, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan.
After these speeches, there was a Ground Breaking Ceremony, during which Mr. Ura, Rev. Wade and Mr. Nicholas turned the sod where the new building would be erected.
The Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center received a grant of up to US$100,525 from the Government of Japan for the extension of their Skills Development Center which seeks to enhance the existing training and development activities offered, while also providing increased opportunities for vulnerable youth in Antigua and Barbuda.
In his speech, Mr. Ura highlighted that “through the compliance and execution of the project initiatives, the programme will have a wider effect through the community and by extension the society. This expansion will allow for overall improvement of the current facilities which can yield better output services provided to these vulnerable students.”
Mr. Ura also stated that the Government of Japan welcomes further opportunities to work with the Government and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, all with a view to strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding which exist between the two countries.
GARD Center – CXC Mathematics and English Results
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) introduced classes in Mathematics and English at the CXC General level in September 2014. These day courses were available to anyone who was interested in improving themselves.
There were initially nine (9) persons enrolled and registered for Mathematics, and ten (10) for the English course. Four participants actually paid for and sat the Math exam and three were successful. Six participants paid and sat the English exam. Five passed, one attained a Grade 1, two attained a Grade 2, and two attained a Grade 3.
The GARD Center wishes to congratulate all of those who remained dedicated to their studies and were successful in passing their examinations.
The Center also sincerely wishes to extend best wishes to our committed tutor, Mr. Lorne Matthew, who believed that everyone could have passed these exams, had they stayed focus.
GARD Center Receives a National Youth Award
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) has received a Lifetime Service Award from the Department of Youth Affairs for its training and development of the youth of Antigua and Barbuda since November 1989. The National Youth Awards Ceremony for 2014, was held on 31 January 2015, at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds.
For the last 25 years the Center, a grass-root, non-government, church-based organization has trained over 4,500 persons in diverse fields of interest in technical/vocational and enterprise development. We have been able to offer ‘second chances’ to young people between the ages 16 – 35 years, with a special focus on women.
A Healthy and Prosperous 2015
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) sincerely wishes to thank all of those who have supported our organisation, and assisted our Center in any way over our first twenty five years of existence and we wish to encourage you to continue this journey with us.
The Center started its year long celebrations with a church service on Monday, 8 December 2014, at Ebenezer Methodist Church, St. Mary’s Street, St. John’s. This was followed by a Graduation Ceremony held on 16 December 2014, which was held at the same venue.
Our next activity is a Farm-to-Table event which is planned for April 2015, at the GARD Center Nature Center. This fund raiser showcases our local producers, their products and the chefs who will be on hand to prepare the delicious meals. We cordially invite you to join us at this event.
As our 25th anniversary celebrations continue, we will keep you updated with our events and look forward to having you join us.
GARD Center Launches Corporate Partner Program
The GARD Center is launching its Corporate Partner Program. What’s that you ask?
The GARD Center is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation which relies on donations to continue its work in training young people in various skill sets and to be successful entrepreneurs. Without the assistance of international and regional organisations, corporate citizens and ordinary citizens alike, the Center does not have the resources to do so.
With your help, the Center can continue to positively change the lives of scores of persons looking for a second chance, an opportunity to pursue dreams of entrepreneurship or of a new skill.
Here’s your chance to give back to the community in a positive way. Petition and encourage your company and the organisations with which you deal on a day to day basis to give to the GARD Center, an organisation dedicated to molding, shaping and changing lives.
Please give generously.
Contact the GARD Center at 268-463-4121 or email us at admin@gardc.org for more detailed information on how the program works.
Global Entrepreneurship Week – Breakfast Event
The launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Antigua and Barbuda, as celebrated around the world, was marked with an Early Morning Connector Event, held on 17 November 2014, from 8:30am – 10:30am, at the City View Hotel in St. John’s.
There were twenty-nine (29) persons who attended from the following organisations.
- GARD Center (3)
- Scotiabank Antigua (3)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) (1)
- Antigua and Barbuda Coalition of Services Industries (ABCSI) (2)
- L.C.P Industries (3)
- Astute Management & Consulting (1)
- Lighthouse Global Executive Services (LGES) (1)
- Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) (1)
- Office of the National Authorizing Officer (NAO) (2)
- Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) (3)
- Department of Youth Affairs (1)
- Nyahbinghi Farms (2)
- Brenda Carrott (Media Consultant) (1)
- Observer Media Group (1)
- Amya’s Design (1)
- Jah Showers Smoothies (1)
- Bajez (natural soaps) (1)
- Keynote Speaker
The Keynote Speaker for this Breakfast event was Mr. Curtis Dennie M.B.A, Marketing Consultant.
Within his presentation, Mr. Dennie stated that the mindset of students are brainwashed into thinking that upon leaving high school, it is expected for them seek employment rather than to venture into creating employment for themselves and others and to be more entrepreneurial.
The Theme for this year’s GEW Breakfast was, “Venture Capital & Entrepreneurship in a Caribbean Context”
GARD Center Antigua and Barbuda Kicks Off Global Entrepreneurship Week
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) – Antigua and Barbuda hosted a Breakfast on 17 November 2014 to kick-start Global Entrepreneurship Week. This is a part of the Scotiabank funded Bridging the Gap project, and was held in collaboration with regional partner CoESL. The GARD Center launched GEW 2014, joining hundreds of countries globally who are taking part in the November 17-23 activities. The launch was held at the City View Hotel, Antigua. It was moderated by Mr. Johan Oliver, Business Development Officer at the GARD Center. Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director of GARD Center, read remarks from Mrs. Marcia Brandon, of the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (CoESL), which is based in Barbados.
The Bridging the Gap (BtG) project aims to celebrate entrepreneurs and promote entrepreneurship. It serves as a way to create ties between Private Sector and Civil Society, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, as well as to connect regional entrepreneurial development entities in an economic sustainable development triangle. The BtG project has three (3) main activities. These are the regional launch; early morning regional connector events which will be held during GEW, on different days, under separate themes by each country participating in the project; as well as a series of regional business mentoring sessions. These business mentorship sessions are intended to facilitate a generational transfer of knowledge which will assist and guide young and mature entrepreneurs on how to prepare to launch a business and how to grow their businesses.
