Tackling youth unemployment & shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry through
immersive, hands-on-deck, paid apprenticeship.
15 apprentices
followed the 4-week course
5 opportunities
in the ‘Continuity of Learning’ framework were provided to previous apprentices
1 skatepark
built independently
5 DIY spots
& maintenance
undertaken independently
The Planting Seeds Apprenticeship (PSA) programme is a professional development programme that provides the theoretical and practical skills needed to build skateparks for national contexts lacking such expertise.
This programme is designed as a 4-week course comprising of classes, workshops, and a paid apprenticeship where apprentices work alongside CJF teachers and industry professionals to construct a skatepark in a targeted community.
Over the course of the programme, participants follow a comprehensive curriculum covering the entire construction process including designing, budgeting, logistics, carpentry, welding, and concrete shaping. Additionally, a complete manual book is provided to cover all practical aspects of the construction process. Upon completion, beneficiaries are awarded a set of tools to enable them to initiate similar projects locally.
The Planting Seeds Apprenticeship programme is specifically designed to empower and equip adolescents aged 18 and above with valuable skills and knowledge.
Access to safe and inclusive public spaces for young people is a critical issue in many communities around the world. The absence of safe spaces to play and skate not only limits opportunities for young people to engage in physical activity but also contributes to a range of social issues, including youth unemployment, social exclusion, and substance abuse. Addressing this issue is crucial to creating more equitable and sustainable communities that prioritize the health and well-being of young people.
The construction sector is facing a significant challenge in the form of a shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the Global South. This shortage is driven by several factors, including the lack of access to training and education, limited investment in the sector, and a low level of interest among young people in pursuing careers in construction.
Source: World Economic Forum
Enhancing the skills and learning curve of apprentices by offering opportunities and facilitating the development of skatepark construction expertise.
A preliminary version of the skatepark construction manual, comprising 30 pages, has been printed in three languages (English, French, and Spanish ) to cover the entire process of skatepark construction, starting from groundwork to concrete pouring. This manual has been successfully implemented in Peru and Morocco.
A comprehensive resource exceeding 250 pages is set to be released in 2024, providing in-depth guidance on skatepark construction. This extensive manual will be available worldwide in English, catering to a global audience.
Dec 26, 2022 · 4 min read
Following up on our latest announcement about our construction apprentice Jhikson Akamine Garcia enrolling in the design course with the Skatepark School, we would like to introduce you to their mission to train skateboarders into the specific craft that is skatepark designing.
Dec 21, 2022 · 5 min read
We are very happy to announce that one of CJF’s previous apprentices, Jhikson Akamine Garcia from Peru, has been awarded a grant to attend a skatepark design course from pioneering school, The Skatepark School, an online training school created by industry professionals from Australia for anyone looking to get into the particular craft of skatepark design.
Dec 13, 2021 · 3 min read
My name is Jhikson Norman Taru Akamine Garcia. I was born on January 7, 2000, in Trujillo, northern Peru. When I was fourteen, my older neighbour gave me his board and I started skating. That unquestionably changed the course of my life.
Sep 18, 2020 · 4 min read
I was nervous, battling second thoughts of even going. What if I dislike the work? What if I can’t do what’s required? Life can be beautiful even if you don't feel completely comfortable, I tell myself ...
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