Nona Williams is a hard worker, always struggling to achieve her goals.

When she was named the recipient for the Governor-General's Achievement Award for the parish of St. Thomas, she was convinced that hard work does pay off.

"Today is a day in my life that I will never forget," she said with pride minutes after receiving her award from Governor-General, Kenneth Hall. "It is the peak of my profession and more importantly I am hoping that it will be an inspiration for the young persons and the not so young persons within the various communities around Jamaica."

Currently the Coordinator/ Instructor of the Skills Training Centre in Trinityville, St. Thomas, Nona was instrumental in establishing the institution which provides training for young people and adults in agriculture, food preparation and computer studies.

She acquired five acres of land from Carreras Limited for the centre's agricultural training farm and successfully guided the institution to become a Centre of Excellence.

High passes

For three consecutive years, the Trinityville Skills Training Centre has recorded a 75 per cent to 80 per cent pass rate in the HEART/ NCTVET examination. Its graduates have readily secured employment in their chosen fields.

Born in the district of Font Hill, St. Thomas to Godfrey and Iris Williams, Nona's career was influenced by the Jamaica 4-H Movement, which she joined in 1973.

While with the Movement, she was a delegate to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme Seminar, held in Barbados. Shortly after her return, she was appointed as the 4-H Organiser for the parish of St. Thomas.