Trench Town Polytechnic benefits from Digicel Foundation grant 

In October 2015, the Trench Town Polytechnic College opened its doors on Eighth Street in South St. Andrew. The college is a merger of Trench Town High School and Charlie Smith High School. The school received $3.55 million under the Digicel Foundation’s Queen’s Young Leaders (QYL) Programme, towards getting specialised equipment for students to get creative and make amazing things.
As a result, they’re now able to make reasonably priced professional wear, along with a line of footwear and bags made from hemp and other natural fibers. The college also intends to manufacture its own high-quality uniforms and is currently recruiting 25 students for this first training course. 
Additionally, a line of ceramic jewellery is planned, with training provided by a local master craftsman in the field. Trench Town has clay pits that are perfect for providing the base material. 
The goal at Trench Town Polytechnic is to prepare students for positions in areas where there are employment opportunities. According to Principal Dosseth Watson-Edwards, “We want to carve out a niche for ourselves, with sustainable innovation. And we don’t train young people for unemployment.” 
With an emphasis on other technical skills such as data operation, auto-body repair, customer service, maritime studies, port operations and logistics, this technology boost helps the college to stay up-to-date with the latest tools. 
The QYL Programme donates grants to organisations across the Commonwealth that offer new opportunities and skills to young people, paving the way for them to have a positive impact on their communities.