BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “THE three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are hard work, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense”.
The above statement was made by American inventor Thomas Edison and it was the correct application of this formula, along with other components, that resulted in Novellene Webbe emerging the top student of the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation’s (SIDF) Training for Optimal Performance of School-leavers (TOPS) Professional 2014 programme.
The three-month course, which concluded on Wednesday (Jan. 14), commenced with 35 participants and 16 of them had made it to the Graduation Ceremony, which was held in the St. Kitts Marriott Ballroom.
In effort to adequately prepare the participants to enter the work force as seamlessly as possible, the recent school-leavers were trained in three Life and Work Skills Courses and four Microsoft Office applications. And they were required to pass one course from each category to graduate.
In addition to passing all seven courses, the Carifesta Village resident outclassed her colleagues in the areas of Microsoft Access and Word and performed as well as her colleague Lannique Saunders in Microsoft Power Point to be named the two most outstanding individuals in that category.
Named the Most Outstanding Participant of the TOP Professional 2014 Course, Webbe said she was honoured to have received the award. She explained that the road to her success was by no means easy and had required “dedication” and “serious application”.
“It was not an easy course for most of us, but with God’s help we made it. At first, when we heard of Microsoft Office 2013, we thought it was something quite easy and similar to the versions we had experienced. But after our first practice tests, we proved ourselves wrong; well at least not with the grades we got…”
She said they began practicing use of the Microsoft Office applications and watching tutorials, and over time their skills were developed and their grades improved.
Now at the end of that particular journey, as Webbe expressed, the TOPS Professional 2014 graduating class is equipped to enter the job market and is fortunate to be the first in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis to participate in the programme, which included an additional benefit of a $1 400-monthly stipend.
“I am grateful for the recognition I have received for my hard work. On behalf of the graduating class, I wish to express our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in collaboration with the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation for implementing this professional training programme.
“This opportunity came at the right time. We were all unemployed, either anticipating the call for an interview or listening for the next vacancy advertisement to submit another application seeking employment.”
While her colleagues would have the additional stress of seeking employment, Webbe, during the January 14, 2015 graduation ceremony, was offered a job at the St. Kitts Marriott with immediate effect.
SIDF’s Corporate Affairs Manager Delcia Bradley-King explained that the SIDF wanted to ensure that the TOPS students were rewarded and find them employment. And as such, it worked with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in an attempt to secure positions for them in the world of work.
She further explained that in the first instance, the names of two outstanding students were submitted (Saunders and Webbe) and the St. Kitts Marriott responded requesting interviews.
In his brief presentation at the graduation ceremony, St. Kitts Marriott’s General Manager Jacque Hamou said: “From the moment I interviewed her (Webbe) I noticed right away that she would fit properly” and informed her that she could begin working immediately.
He said there was only one vacancy at the time, and when another arises Saunders would be offered a job.
Having acquired the necessary skills, Webbe advised her colleagues to “go out into the world of work and proudly demonstrate what you have learnt; be an inspiration to others, make the difference. Best wishes from here onward…”
In a brief interview with SKNVibes, the 19-year-old said she feels “excellent” that she was offered a job and thanked the SIDF, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the St. Kitts Marriott for their assistance.
Congratulations Novellene Webbe.
