The latest graduates from the Skills Development Programme were recognised at a ceremony earlier this week.

The 13 men and women were joined by dignitaries including John Rankin, the Governor, Michael Dunkley, the Premier, and Sylvan Richards, minister of the environment.

Martha Dismont, from the Family Centre, served as guest speaker for the event.

The programme, now in its fourth year, was created by the Department of Parks and Department of Court Services as a training and development opportunity for young men and women between the ages of 19 and 25 interested in horticulture and landscaping.

The five-month course offered modules on areas including plant pruning, pest maintenance, and operation and maintenance of small equipment.

Mr Richards thanked the community partners and stakeholder organisations for their contributions to the “extremely worthy” programme.

“All of you have played a vital role in ensuring the graduates have successfully passed the various modules needed to complete this programme while gaining valuable work experience in the horticultural field,” he said.

The programme, Mr Richards said, had assisted the Government with a variety of projects across the island.

“Within the environment ministry alone, this initiative has provided assistance to the Railway Trail maintenance programme, the AG Show, and the maintenance programmes for Government House and the Botanical Gardens,” he said.

This year’s graduates are Nathan Baron-Sorrention, Seth Burt, Corin Dunlop, Jerriko Gibbons, Denar Johnson, Davina Jones, Kobe Pitcher, Eric Richardson, Khalil Roberts, Tio Smith, Stanwon Swan, Aaron Trott and Jeremiah Tyrell

Special recognition was paid to Jahmel Mallory, Eric O’Connor, Christopher Trott and Khayrick Woolridge.