Road Town, Tortola - Over 100 fifth form students from four secondary schools will participate in the 16th Annual Right Start Programme sponsored by the Elmore Stoutt High School in collaboration with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and other sponsors starting tomorrow.

The participating schools are Elmore Stoutt High School, Cedar International, St. George’s Secondary and Seventh Day Adventist Secondary. The two-day programme will be held at the HLSCC’s Auditorium.

Programme coordinator, Guidance Counsellor Reverend Keith Lewis, told the Department of Information and Public Relations that this professional development seminar is a bridging programme which provides students with an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be responsible and effective. “The programme gives students the opportunity to identify priorities–– steps that are necessary for successfully transitioning from high school to tertiary education or employment in their life,” he said.

The students will attend a series of five small-group workshops and two motivational presentations, which will provide them the opportunity to learn new skills that can aid them in their post secondary journey.

Some of the areas to be discussed will include leadership development, preparing for a successful interview, writing a winning resume, attitude in the workplace, business ethics/etiquette, achieving success in the workplace and college/university preparation. The sessions will be facilitated by a number of local professionals.

Tomorrow’s opening ceremony at 9am will include remarks from the Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Andrew Fahie, HLSCC’s Vice President Dr. Ann Monroe and Reverend Lewis. The proceedings will be chaired by HLSCC’s Dean of Workforce Mrs. Judith Vanterpool.

The other sponsors of the programme are Bolos, Digicel, Island Services (BVI Ltd), Lions Club of Tortola, MWM Financials, National Educational Services Co. Ltd, Rotary Club of Road Town, Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town, Road Town Wholesale Ltd. and BVI Social Security Board.

In 2009 over 200 students participated in the Right Start Programme. The mission of the programme is to provide graduating students with hands on skills as they transition from high school to the real world.