Following the positive response to the Passport2Success pilot earlier this year, the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment has launched a second offering of the 12-week skills preparation programme.
With 24 young Caymanians participating, Programme Coordinator Shannon Seymour is hoping for a repeat of the last group’s achievements.
“Of the 22 students who signed up during the pilot, 14 have transitioned from unemployment to having some clear goals,” she said.
“Six are now attending the University College of the Cayman Islands and eight are fully employed.”
Continuing she noted: “Most young people not only need a chance, but they also need to be prepared to take advantage of that chance when it comes. This program equips them to do that.”
Education and Training Minister, the Hon. Rolston Anglin, JP, encouraged the new participants to assimilate all that guest speakers and facilitators will offer in the coming weeks.
During their orientation session he told them, “This programme will ensure that you have a firm grasp of employers’ expectations.
“It’s designed to ensure that your transition to the world-of-work is as smooth as possible, as well as to equip you with the softer skills that employers desire.”
Reacting enthusiastically to the Minister’s encouragement, participants were anxious to get started and to learn as much as possible. Several also cited reviews they’d heard from pilot-group members as being their motivation for applying.
“I heard about the programme from my cousin Michelle Johnson," Angelica McField explained. “And I’ve seen the difference it’s made in her life.”
Briana Dixon said she’d heard about Passport2Success from her aunt and added, “I’m hoping to learn the skills I need for the world-of-work.”
In turn, Nicholas Ross’s goal is to learn better interviewing skills. He wants to become an electrician and hopes the programme will expose him to what’s expected in that field.
This second offering of the programme is full-time, runs five days weekly from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and is based at the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI).
Passport2Success is free and is designed to help young Caymanians, who’ve recently graduated high school but who’ve not yet found suitable employment, improve their workplace skills. No qualifications or work experience are required to participate.
Visit www.passport2success.ky, email info [at] wellnesscentre [dot] ky or call 949-9355 for details. Programme sponsors are the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment; LIME, Butterfield Group and CML Offshore Recruitment.
