The brief award ceremony took place on 28th February, 2011 where the Marcel’s Structural Metal Works proprietor of Low Street, Charlestown, was presented with an award.
The award was presented to Forbes by Minister of Youth and Social Development in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Hensley Daniel at his Nugent’s Heights business premises, as part of a youth initiative to salute and award all the youths of Nevis.
According to Youth Coordinator in the Youth Division Diana Pemberton, the award was the first of many which will be presented in similar pattern to deserving youths who have performed in selected fields to mark the August 2010-2011 United Nation’s International Year of Youth.
“We are going to pick a youth each month of this year, to commemorate the International Year of Youth which will go on to August 2011 but from the Ministry’s standpoint we will be saluting one youth per month this year in various areas such as performing arts, education, construction also volunteerism and sports. So Mr. Forbes you are the first of many and we salute you,” she said.
In response an elated Mr. Forbes said he was thankful that his work was acknowledged and thanked Minister Daniel and his ministry for the award.
In brief remarks Mr. Daniel said the Ministry recognised the importance of young people in the development of the society and as such had come to celebrate with Mr. Forbes.
In a profile read by Ms. Infatari Hanley, the awardee’s daughter, she described him as an ambitious, energetic, jovial and proud individual. He attended the Charlestown Boys and Charlestown Secondary Schools.
He took advantage of an opportunity to be a part of a youth skills programme and was attached to Classical Metal Works owned by Mr. Nia Conrad Liburd. While there he was trained as an apprentice to weld and also engaged in other activities related to the business.
On completion of his secondary education he succeeded in securing a job at Classical Metal Works where he worked for eight years. It was during his tenure there that Marcel discovered his love and deep interest in metal works and felt the need to establish his own business.
Enthusiastic about his achievements in life, Marcel was able to secure a loan from the Foundation for National Development (FND) which assisted him with setting up his business operations.
He started off by himself on a 500 sq ft plot of land under a shed at Government Road but was able to purchase the necessary machines and material to successfully carry out his welding business.