13 At Risk Youths Complete Barbering Programme of Police Department
Thirteen of seventeen youths, who were at risk of getting caught up in the criminal justice system, have successfully completed a barbering programme organized by the Police Department. Over the course of this week, the young men received training in barbering techniques and best practices in efforts to prepare them to become employable in the trade and even to start up their own barbering business in their communities. The programme was done in an effort to steer young people away from a life of crime. A News Five team attended the brief closing ceremony held at the Princess Poolside.
Howell Gillett
Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett, Commander, Eastern Division Region One
“There’s joblessness and indeed we find it in some of the communities, but now these young people have been taught how to fish, they’ve been taught how to be barbers and five of them walked away with a trimming set each—the five top students and they are now able to go out and start immediately to start to cut hair in their neighbourhoods. And we encourage them to start charging a low fee so that they get a number of clients and that in itself will lower crime.”
Nicholas Ara
Nicholas Ara, Barbering Trainer, Z’s Barber Shop
“Techniques I teach the youths over the course of this week was first hygiene and then one low cut, teaching them fades and giving them the slight guidelines of how to use a razor. That’s what we were working on and I think we will continue with them on a next two weeks.”
Leroy Wasani Flores
Leroy Wasani Flores, 1st Place, Barbering Programme
“Coming here was a nice experience. Thanks to Mister Nick and to the police department as well for helping us to realize that we no supposed to be on the street all the time and di run bout. Well my experience dah fi meet new people, trim, learn how fi do weh I neva know. Yes I mi know wah lee bit, but since I come dah the programme I learn a lot more than weh I know.”
