NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JUNE 30, 2015) — Fifty-one youths attended the start of the Department of Youth and Sports annual Summer Job Attachment Programme on June 29, 2015, at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall. The theme for this year’s June 29-July 3 programme is “Unleashing the Professional in You.”

The programme devised by the Department will groom school leavers into capable professionals having received holistic training in areas that allow them to be positioned with other cadre of professionals in their desired career field.

At the programme’s opening ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development Keith Glasgow, who officially opened the workshop, urged the participants to focus on specialised knowledge in a chosen field; interpersonal skills; regularity and punctuality at work; hard work and diligence and taking advantage of training and development, five attributes he believes are critical to becoming a professional employee.

Glasgow also told the participants at the end of the workshop, some would find themselves in a work environment in which they should always display a positive work ethic and professionalism. He urged them to make choices that would bring them job satisfaction.

The Permanent Secretary reminded them that those who take his advice would be successful in the competition for jobs and have a greater opportunity for advancement in their careers.

Topics that would be covered during the workshop are “Why I Wanna be what I Wanna be” presented by Lornette Swanston-Morton, “Sell Yourself” by Camara Celeen Lee, “Let’s Talk” by Tresia Daniel, “Making Money Count” by Janesha Daniel, “Netiquette” by Craig David and “Go Pro” by Tresia Daniel.

During the session, “trainee professionals” as they will be known are expected to attend all five days of the preparation workshop, report punctually and regularly, dress appropriately, communicate and conduct themselves in a professional manner, follow instructions and directives given by those in authority, give a written and oral evaluation at the end of every session and participate in all individual and group activities.

Other remarks came from Youth Coordinator Zahnela Claxton while words of encouragement were given by past trainee Cordiesere Walters. The opening prayer was done by Kerdia Clarke the national anthem by trainee Chalese Morton and Lanisa Burke served as chairman.