BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH calls for more young people in St. Kitts and Nevis to be involved in entrepreneurship, the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College is leading in enhancing the minds of its students.
Yesterday (Apr. 26), 16 student presented their business proposals as part of their curriculum project to lecturers, President and Dean of the Institution as well as a private sector entity.
According to the Business lecturer at the College, Christine Walwyn, the all-male students from the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Electrical Course were trained on the ways in which they could go about establishing their own private entities.
The three-month course which started back in February culminated with their presentation pitch.
“Most of them would be graduating later this year and instead of them going out and look for a job they can be their own bosses,” Walwyn said.
During the interactive sessions, students were taught Basic Accounting, Business Marketing and how to build Self-confidence.
Dean of the Technical Division Andrew Abraham told SKNVibes that he was impressed by the students performances and the lecturer who was able to transform them from the position of being shy young men to having them make a business pitch before an audience.
“Knowing these students and interacting with them for the last two years, and the growth that I have see in terms of their presentation skills, I must comment Dr. Walwyn for a job well done.”
He added that even though the young men have shown great enthusiasm in their presentations, there is still a long way for them to go before becoming professionals.
Asked what plans the institution have for such proposals for that class and others who would have drafted business plans, Abraham explained that in the Technical Department there is a renewed focus on preparing students on becoming entrepreneurs.
“We want these persons to take their skill sets and go out there with the confidence in knowing that they can go out in the environment and start their own business. It may not be on their own, but also to form groups. Find classmates or someone who is as passionate in the same area as you are and to go out there, source funding, develop their business plans and have that confidence to establish what they want.”
Abraham opined that if such initiatives are taken up the Federation would benefit tremendously through education and training.
SKNVibes was privileged to be present to observe the students presenting their proposals through a slideshow presentation.
Four groups presented in the areas of sporting good, technical repairs to both mobile devices and heavy equipment, while one group presented on air conditioning and fittings.
Each group was commended for its effort while accepting critiques with the view of working on those to develop a professional plan.
At the end of the presentations, the CEO and owner of Open Interactive, Stachio Williams, vowed to take one of the groups and work with them to develop their plans.
