Alternative Education Centre

Filling a Need: A Brief History of SDCH Trades School

Since the earliest of days of its founding the children of the St. Dominic’s Orphanage were exposed to learning different trades, but in an informal setting.  When the construction of the original Belmont Orphanage houses began in 1874, under the watchful eyes of Fr. Forestier and Ms. Stephanie Blanc, the children helped tremendously in the building of these houses.

As time went by and the numbers of children grew, workmen were sourced to construct and reconstruct the existing houses. The older children assisted in whichever way they were able to, learning skills that would serve them when they came of age. This was the beginning of the learning of various trades at the St. Dominic’s Orphanage, which developed over the decades to keep pace with the ever-changing job market and need for skilled trades workers.

As there was no budget to purchase clothing, shoes, and food for all these children, the Sisters had to be creative and share their knowledge to expand the resources within the Home. This led to teaching the young people to sew their own pieces of clothing, to repair their shoes, and bake their own bread.

A bakery was installed and no less than two 100-pound bags of flour were used on a daily basis. The young boys, under watchful eyes, were taught the skill of baking bread. This was to feed the very hungry children at the Home. Each day ordinary bread as well as sweet bread was baked. This was to be eaten for supper. The bakery was run by Mr. Letren, a former “old boy” at the Home.

In 1909, The Catholic News Printery was transferred to the grounds of St. Dominic’s Home. This presented an opportunity to broaden the Home’s potential to introduce a new trade to its fledgling programme. Some of the senior boys, eager to learn the printing business, served as apprentices. Others pitched in to help with day-to-day operational tasks.

These programmes helped the children involved to further establish an identity of community and the knowledge and satisfaction gained from contributing to the welfare of all the children at the home.

In 1958, due to the vast amount of children now at the Home, it was recognized that the children would all benefit from learning a trade. This would be reintegrated in the everyday operations of the Home. Soon traditional trades like tailoring, shoemaking, baking and cabinet making were taught to the senior boys. Eventually, girls aged fourteen and over, attended courses in Home Economics, Dressmaking, Hairdressing, Commercial Classes and Handicraft.

Throughout the 1950s to 1970s, the Trade Schools were fully established. Trade instructors taught the senior boys and girls various trades that would equip them with the skills needed for both in the Home as well as outside, when they were old enough to leave. Some continued advancing in the skill they learned at the Home and would return to assist the younger ones, even after they would have left the Home.

Difficulties were experienced for the formation of the post-primary boys in the line of trades. Some of these young boys showed interest in auto mechanics, welding, plumbing, etc., but the Home did not have the facilities for this. They were soon to be admitted into schools outside of the Home, returning to the Home after their classes.

In April 1979, the renovated former Girls’ Primary School, situated on the compound of the Home, was transformed into a Transient Home for the boys who had reached the age of sixteen. This was to facilitate their adjustment to working outside the Home. Difficulties were experienced for the formation of the post-primary boys in the line of trades.

As part of the vision to ensure the residents receive skills for sustainability and accreditation, St. Dominic’s Children’s Home, formed a partnership with the Ministry of Community Development Culture and the Arts to facilitate Vocational Skills programmes. This was received with great anticipation.

During 2018, St. Dominic’s Children’s Home approached the National Training Agency (NTA) and held discussions for guidance to achieve St. Dominic’s Trade School as an approved centre by the NTA.

The Trades School is a model and way of life designed to play a special role in the development of young minds in preparation for higher education and standard of living. It employs innovative and alternative ways to teach academic subjects and life skills. Goals include vocational skills, social reform, and self-discovery to allow the children to reach their individual potential and to help the pupils to apply what they learned in their everyday life.

The Centre will now be able to assess residents in specific occupational areas under the NTA, employing a national standardized assessment tool to certified residents while they are in care. While they transition out of care, they may use the certification to acquire employment or continue further certification.