Adolescent Development Programme

The programme begins by preparing participants for subsequent skills training by encouraging them to work to understand themselves and their own emotional needs. For example, the young people listen to talks on self-awareness and spirituality that are intended, in part, to help overcome prejudices and tendencies toward violent and other negative behaviour. These workshops also emphasise basic information about the country as well as education in reading, writing, and counting. Following this introductory period, participants spend time in each department so that they can make a final decision as to the trade they wish to learn.

They are also exposed to an adolescent parenting programme designed to make them aware of the responsibilities involved in bringing children into the world. The young participants are helped to develop emotionally through a relationship-training programme in which they are guided to form relationships with small children. Specifically, they spend time in the day nursery working, feeding, and playing with babies and toddlers, as well as with the caregivers on the SERVOL staff. They also attend lectures by trained professionals on sexuality, drugs, AIDS, and social responsibility.

After this three-and-a-half month period, the young participants move into skill training departments, where they spend up to one year learning a specific skill. For example, Hi Tech Centres located in Barataria, Chaguanas, and La Romain offer offer advanced courses in computer literacy, basic book keeping and small business training, electronics, computer repairs and digital electronics. The centres also offer enhancement sessions to help prepare students for the world of work, in addition to a job training programme where all students enter the workplace for a period of 6 months. In other types of skill training programmes, this period of time may amount to only four months of on-the-job training. These vocations might include building houses; completion of electrical, plumbing and welding repairs; catering for school programmes and functions; or printing books and pamphlets.

Another example of training options open to young participants illustrates the partnerships SERVOL cultivates with the private sector. The Advanced Skill Training Centre was opened in 2000 to give disadvantaged youth the opportunity to follow courses in Advanced Skills to prepare them for jobs in the oil and gas sectors in Trinidad and Tonago. The centre is situated in south Trinidad (the oil and gas belt) and offers courses in Instrumentation, Compressor Mechanics, Electrical and Industrial Maintenance, Computer Repairs and Networking and Digital Electronics. There is also a computer lab and a series of interactive videos and CDs that students can use to refresh and upgrade their modules of study. Oil and gas companies were involved in the planning of this curriculum, and offer advice and job training for students.

Having completed this training, participants return to the centre with an evaluation from their temporary employer. Staff members then work with them to correct weaknesses in their attitude, behaviour, and performance. At this point in the process, a number of the young people approach Fund Aid, SERVOL's sister organisation, which grants loans to enable them to buy equipment to set up small businesses. Simple courses in business management are provided and assistance and advice given in the areas of production and marketing.

Youth, Education, Technology, Economic Development, Health, HIV/AIDS, Family Planning.

SERVOL is a service organisation engaged in educational and community-based efforts to help disadvantaged children and adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago. (Click here for a description of SERVOL). SERVOL first initiated this programme with the sole purpose of building vocational skills among young people. To this end, it opened a welding shop in 1971, a plumbing facility in 1972, a woodwork shop in 1973, an electrical training centre in 1974, food preparation and garment construction centres in 1975, and an auto mechanics garage in 1976. However, the results of an evaluation revealed a high drop-out rate (35%); even those who completed the course tended to have trouble looking for or finding employment. A careful study of the profile of these adolescents revealed that many of them had a very negative self-image and low self-esteem, traits they had acquired from their lack of success in the overly academic life of secondary education.

According to organisers, the drop-out rate in this revised programme is 5%. A recent study indicated that the graduates from the SERVOL programme retain and put into practice what they were exposed to 10-15 years prior.

As of this writing, there are 32 Adolescent Development Centres, 14 of which offer skill training as well as the Adolescent Development Course.

To honour its commitment to community participation, SERVOL has implemented a system according to which the Boards of Education serve as the official employers of the teachers involved in the programme. These Boards are responsible for the physical upkeep of the centres and for monitoring the punctuality and performance of teachers. This approach draws the community into the educational process; for example, parents vote along with the Boards of Education at an annual general meeting.