UNEMPLOYED YOUTH LEARN CRITICAL SKILLS AT JOB READINESS FORUM

Tuesday January 31, 2012

Communication skills, customer service training, team building, personality profiling and interviewing tips are the five main concepts being taught at the Ministry of Education and Culture’s two-week Job Readiness Forum.

The forum which resumes this week continues to instruct the youth on the importance of being prepared and ready to perform in today’s work place.

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron Walwyn visited students at the end of week one to assess the programme. Speaking with the Department of Information and Public Relations Minister Walwyn said, “I am very pleased with the progress of the programme. I can see that our young people have received the message that this is their opportunity to start their professional lives. Some of the registrants have said to me that they are learning a lot and they feel empowered to go to interviews and effectively express themselves to prospective employers.”

The Minister added, “I believe that they have also received the message that our community needs them to join the labour force at all levels, to help to rejuvenate the Virgin Islands’ economy. I look forward to inspiring them to take initial jobs, further their training or education and doing what is necessary to fill relevant job vacancies in the country."

Mrs. Judith Vanterpool, Coordinator of the Job Readiness Forum said it is hoped that students will have a better idea of who they are and what an employer expects of them. Attitudes in the workplace and how to handle conflict are some areas of focus. “We are hoping to teach the youth how to resolve conflict instead of walking away from a job.”

Other concepts being taught include the difference between aggression and assertiveness, the importance of eye contact, customer appreciation, the importance of “I messages”, the effects employee’s actions have on an organisation and learning how to speak clearly without confrontation.

The presenters are the Acting Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Ms. Tasha Bertie, Co-facilitators Mrs. Judith Vanterpool and Mr. Albert Wheatley, Ms. Melva Hodge and the Acting Director of Youth Affairs and Sports Mr. Patrick Harrigan.

Through the Job Readiness Forum, the Ministry of Education and Culture stands committed to creating an environment that encourages young people to become responsible, enlightened and motivated to contribute towards national development and prepared to join the workforce.