Students graduate from world of work

By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – 175 students from the island’s secondary schools successfully completed the 3rd Annual Work Experience Programme (AWEP), an initiative that allowed them to intern at several tourism-related businesses and organisations over the past week (Oct. 13 to 16).

The Programme was jointly facilitated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism and aimed to expose its participants to the myriad of opportunities that exist within the tourism sector.

Students interned at 36 businesses including Circus Grill, TDC, Travel World, Ashbury’s, Caribelle Batik, and the Ocean Terrace Inn, gaining practical skills and direct exposure to the intricacies of the working world.

“Students learn the theoretical aspect of business while they are in school but it’s so important that they receive some of the practical knowledge as well. With this programme, a wide cross-section of students are able to gain this knowledge and exposure, and for some of them, it may be their first professional experience.

~~Adz:Right~~The working world is no longer a mystery to them, because they were given this glimpse into the environment. The feedback from the students has been positive,” said Wanda Connor, one of the organisers.

Maurice Widdowson, founder of AWEP, emphasised the need for young persons to recognise the “breadth and scope of opportunities that exist within tourism”.

“It’s about time we disprove the theory that tourism is equal to servitude. Youth need to know that there are alternatives to the more traditional professions and thus be equipped to seize the openings that this industry can give them.”

All participants will receive a certificate on conclusion of the programme and will write an essay detailing their work experience. Each school’s guidance counsellor will choose a student to represent the school on media outings and to a visit with the Hon. Richard Skerritt, Minister of State responsible for Tourism.