In a meaningful investment in people and possibility, the Sandals Foundation has committed EC$135,000 to the Circuit & Chill Rehabilitation Skills Project in Saint Lucia—an initiative designed to equip incarcerated youth with industry-recognized skills and a pathway toward productive reintegration.

Implemented in partnership with the NextGen Skills Foundation and delivered by accredited training provider Shan-Phill Training, the seven-month programme offers Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Level 1 certification in Electrical Installation and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning—two high-demand trades essential to the Caribbean construction. The initiative currently supports 30 young men, aged 15 to 35, from the Bordelais Correctional Facility and the Boys Training Centre.

Training is delivered through a blend of classroom instruction, hands-on workshops, and simulated on-the-job experiences, equipping participants with both technical competence and the confidence to apply it. Foundational units completed to date include occupational health and safety, tool handling, workplace communication, and basic technical computation—core skills for workforce entry. This is reinforced by a strong psychosocial component, with weekly sessions in life skills, inner healing, motivational coaching, and financial literacy, creating space for reflection and growth as participants begin to reframe their goals and embrace new possibilities.

Ms. Shanel Phillip, President of the NexGen Skills Foundation, emphasized the programme’s holistic impact, noting that the integration of financial literacy and inner healing mentorship is helping to shape more well-rounded individuals. “We’re not just building skills—we’re developing the whole person,” Phillip said. “The young men are beginning to approach life in a more professional way, and the life-skills component is not only making them better workers, but better individuals. There’s a sense of pride, of possibility—and I’m excited to see where this journey takes them.”

At its core, the project speaks to a deeper regional priority—creating real pathways for young men to return to society equipped not only to work, but to rebuild, contribute, and move forward with purpose. 

Since the programme began earlier this year, it has maintained full participation, with all 30 trainees actively engaged. Participants have already begun developing their CVQ portfolios, completing approximately 20 percent of the required competency evidence and demonstrating strong commitment and steady progress.

Aligned with CARICOM-approved standards and certified through the Saint Lucia Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SLCTVET), the programme ensures that participants graduate with recognized qualifications that strengthen employability and support long-term reintegration—contributing to a more prepared workforce and stronger communities.

“We have always believed that when people are given the right support, they can move forward in meaningful ways,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation. “This initiative brings together education, skills training and personal development to help these young men build a future that is productive, stable and rooted in possibility.”

Training will continue through to mid-2026, with participants advancing through additional competency units, assessments, and portfolio development, alongside continued life skills and financial literacy support.

The Circuit & Chill Rehabilitation Skills Project stands as a compelling example of how intentional investment and strong partnerships can open doors—transforming second chances into tangible opportunities for growth, stability, and contribution across the Caribbean.