Philipsburg:---Commissioner responsible for Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus highlighted the success of government's Business Outreach and Placement Program has had over the years as a prime example of how serious effort by young people produces great results.
The program caters to pre-exam and exam secondary school students and is on schedule to be carried again this year with registration to open in April. Students also have to be 16 years of age. The program serves to provide career guidance, improve employability by preparing the youth for the job market, provides life and technical skills and builds character.
"The character building aspect of the program is one of the more significant. The work environments where the students will be for a few weeks require responsibility, accountability, discipline communication skills, interpersonal skills, opportunities for creativity and initiative," The Commissioner said.
"These may sound like lofty goals for jobs that some may view as mundane, but the benefits are definitely real, and the skills invaluable in the workplace," she added.
The Commissioner went on to mention a few examples of young people who applied themselves to their job assignments and has since been taken into full government service.
Wendy Jack, Venacio Saunders and Makini Hickinson at the Department of Economic Policy and Research, Valetta Brown and Davida Holaman at the Island Secretary's Office, Solaika Serbony in Commissioner Wescott's office, Shantilia Higgs, Dolicia Skeete Anderson and Ferdinand Jermin at the Finance Department and many more who have also gone into the private sector after completing their job placement assignment.
"In the summer months when a young person is home for the summer vacation, it is better for them to be productive than just idling at home. I hope the schools and parents encourage young people to register for the opportunity to gain valuable work experience," the Commissioner said.
"I would also like to thank the private sector businesses that have in the past taken on so many of our students and subsequently hired them. Thank you for the time devoted to our students and for putting them in a position that taught them something about your business, even if it wasn't exactly what the student was looking for. But that's the reality of having a job in the "real world. I am looking forward to continuing this cooperation with the business sector," Buncamper-Molanus said.
She also stressed that there still criteria that a young person have to meet before they are chosen for a job assignment, as well as interviewing with the government department or private sector business at which he or she would like to work. The Commissioner also thanked Shermina Powell-Richardson and her team at the Department of Social and Welfare Affairs youth section for the hard work they put into the program every year.