TAO de Jade Trade School opened its doors in January, 2019 to great excitement from the local community.

This comprehensive one-year program teaches young adults—18-29-year-old middle/high school dropouts—a skilled trade, academic completion, ESL, computer literacy, and psycho-social support through group dynamics. The final phase of the program prepares the transition into self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship skills, job placement and formation of co-ops.

The trades currently offered include:

1.  Carpentry and furniture production
2. Maintenance: electricity, plumbing, motor repair
3. Organic Farming & free range egg production
4. Industrial Food Processing: giving a plus value to the local crops through jarring, dehydrating and freezing
5. Baking & Chef Kitchen
6. Sewing

The Nayarit coast is experiencing a boom in tourism, however the gap between the demand and availability of skilled workers means the majority of middle to higher paying jobs are out of reach for locals. We are confident that after completing this program—with a high school degree and training in specific skills—these young adults will be better prepared to improve the quality of their lives.