(Trinidad Guardian) Export Centres Company Ltd (ECCL), a state enterprise under the Ministry of Community Development, will soon establish a Research Facility, Marketing/Export Department and Craft Museum.
This announcement was made by Donna Ferraz, permanent secretary, Ministry of Community Development, when she gave the feature address on behalf of the minister, Winston “Gypsy” Peters, at the Apprenticeship Craft Training Graduation Ceremony held recently at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.
“These new units all form part of ECCL’s strategic plan which aims to promote and deliver products made in Trinidad and Tobago to global markets and of course, to have wider reach on the local market,” she said. The graduation ceremony certified 561 persons from ECCL’s eight centres and two outreach centres at Rampanalgas and Goodwill Industries.
Over three months, the participants received training in 16 different areas which included glass engraving, linen and drapery, soap and candle making and airbrush design.
Hansen Narinesingh, ECCL’s chief executive officer, spoke to the economic benefits of the apprenticeship craft training: “It aims to revitalise the local craft industry. We believe that the innovative capacity of our people can be harnessed and used in entrepreneurial efforts. These will certainly fuel our nation’s competitiveness,” he said.
The graduation ceremony ended with a presentation of special awards in all areas of training. Awardees were given certificates and a starter kit which included tools and raw materials specific to their craft areas. The ECCL’s main objective is to provide export-specific training for persons who previously received basic training in craft development.
