Selected participants of the 2026 Building Craft Programme are pictured with ABCAS President Dr. Ezra Jonah Greene, Vice President Dr. Na-Ajele Williams-Buffonge, Board Chairman Vernon Solomon, Kasia Howard, Senior Education Manager at The King’s Foundation, ABCAS Board member Clare Browne, and accompanying tutors Mr. Jace Gore and Mr. Garry Southwell following the Opening Ceremony.
The King’s Foundation, in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced the eight selected participants for the 2026 Building Craft Programme, as the initiative gets underway.
The eight selected participants are Kyla Weaver, Glennoy Goodwin, Shannoy Spencer, Jesse Gilpin, Devon Thomas, Johnathan Joseph, Edmund Map, and Akeem Javin James.
The announcement follows an Opening Ceremony held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Muriel O’Mard Campus. The ceremony brought together representatives from The King’s Foundation, ABCAS leadership, government officials, and the selected participants.
Following a competitive application and interview process, the cohort represents a cross-section of the construction and design sector and will participate in this international training opportunity, fully funded by The King’s Foundation, His Majesty’s nature and sustainability charity, and its donor partners, including The King Charles III Charitable Fund, Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd, and the Mill Reef Fund.
Two ABCAS tutors will accompany the cohort for the UK training: Mr. Jace Gore, Head of the Department of Industrial Technology, and Mr. Garry Southwell, CVQ Implementation Officer, who will provide academic and technical support throughout the programme.
The cohort includes architects, engineers, skilled tradespersons, a past student, and a current ABCAS student, reflecting a strong mix of experience, passion, and commitment to heritage conservation and climate-resilient construction.
Participants have begun a one-week orientation in Antigua, led by ABCAS with support from The King’s Foundation, which includes classroom sessions and field exposure. They will depart Antigua on April 12, 2026, to commence four weeks of intensive training in the United Kingdom at The King’s Foundation training sites, beginning at the charity’s headquarters, Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland.
During this period, participants will gain hands-on experience in traditional building techniques, including carpentry, masonry, working with lime, heritage restoration, and sustainable construction.
Upon completion, participants will return to Antigua and Barbuda to take part in a live build project, applying their newly acquired skills in a practical, community-focused setting.
Dr. Na-Ajele Buffonge, Vice President of ABCAS, noted, “At ABCAS, we remain committed to developing talent through meaningful partnerships. This programme provides participants with internationally recognised skills while supporting sustainable and heritage-focused development in Antigua and Barbuda.”
Dr. Simon Sadinsky, Executive Director of Research, Impact and Learning at The King’s Foundation, said, “We are delighted to welcome these talented individuals to The King’s Foundation training sites, including Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, and Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire, England, to enhance their skills in heritage building crafts and climate-resilient construction.”
A Cocktail Reception will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Galley Bay Resort and Spa, providing an opportunity for continued engagement as the programme progresses.
This programme represents a significant step in strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s capacity for heritage conservation and sustainable construction, equipping participants with internationally recognised skills while supporting national development priorities.
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