The Kaiser Jamaica group, comprising Alumina Partners of Jamaica (ALPART), Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Company and the Alpart Mining Venture, gave some well needed assistance to the Operation Friendship's inner-city youth development cause by donating a 175 Mig Welding Plant to the downtown-based training centre of the charity organisation.

The Mig Welding plant donated by the Kaiser group is a great improvement on the traditional welding machine employed by the centre. Included among the machine's functions are its ability to perform gas metal arc welding, stainless steel welding and alumina metal welding.

Kaiser Director of Corporate & Government Affairs, Greg Christie, made the presentation during a recent courtesy call on the Operation Friendship establishment, during which he toured the centre's skills training facilities. Commenting on the donation, Mr. Christie expressed Kaiser Jamaica's pleasure with having been in a position to support such an important training development initiative.

"Operation Friendship has provided the Kaiser Jamaica entities with an established, proven and effective channel through which companies may play their part in the upliftment of needy inner-city individuals,' Mr. Christie stated.

Mr. Christie lauded Operation Friendship's Director, Rev Dr. Webster Edwards on his organisation's efforts in assisting the Centre's eager apprentices, who have, creditably, made the programme feasible through a continued interest in skills improvement. He further expressed Kaiser Jamaica's desire to play its part in ensuring the maintenance of this worthy programme through continued assistance.

Operation Friendship is a private voluntary organisation, which has been working in the Kingston inner-city communities for over 30 years. Each year, the organisation provides approximately 320 young men and women with training in a number of marketable skills such as Information Technology, Autobody Repairs, Cabinet Making, Welding, Machine Shop Practice and Garment Construction. Operation Friendship also offers remedial classes for youngsters without the necessary educational background for admission to the skills training programme.