ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, October 7th, 2011  – The British Virgin Islands (BVI) International Finance Centre (IFC) continues its efforts to help youth in the Territory be better prepared and qualified to take up jobs within the financial services sector.

During the month of October, IFC through its Financial Services High School (FSHS) Education Programme will familiarise senior secondary school students to professions within the sector. The theme for the programme is ‘Building for the Future’.

According to Director of IFC Ms. Sherri Ortiz, IFC has partnered with private sector professionals to introduce and expose students to topics ranging from the products and services available within the industry to the regulatory and legislative regimes.

“It is important to target senior students now so that they develop an interest for serving in the financial services industry,” Ms. Ortiz said, adding, “The IFC is committed to ensuring that our youth understand and appreciate the importance of the financial services sector, one of the BVI’s leading economic pillars.”

Ms. Ortiz explained, “It it is necessary to provide students with an awareness from now in preparation for their tertiary level training. This early intervention and preparedness will help interested students pursue an appropriate education where they can gain the necessary knowledge and skills to be more competitive in the financial services industry.”

She said that the goal is to encourage youth to return well prepared to enter the private sector.

Ms Ortiz further explained, “Our youth will soon be the new faces of the financial services industry and it is important to help them qualify and effectively prepare to take up that leadership role one day.”
She added that effective and adequate training is critical to the sustainability of our growing financial services sector.

IFC’s Marketing Manager Mrs. Alicia Green said that orientation sessions are being held in all high schools throughout the territory during the month of October, including the BVI Seventh-day Adventist, St. George’s Secondary School, Elmore Stoutt High School, and the Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division.

The education programme is designed to achieve four main objectives: To provide a greater understanding of the financial services industry to students; to introduce the various career opportunities available within the industry; to share the benefits of continued education and certification within the industry and to specify the advantages of working in any of the service sectors which comprise the financial services industry.

She said that the IFC is extremely grateful for the support of the private sector and the local high schools for facilitating the programme.

“We have developed an extended programme this year in an effort to standardise some of the information being shared among the various high schools,” Mrs. Green said.

She added that students will get an opportunity to interact with special guest speakers and representatives of all financial services areas.

The IFC plays a pivotal role in the promotion and marketing of the BVI as a leading financial centre. It was established in 2002 as part of the government's commitment to support the financial services industry, the aim of the IFC is to provide a voice to the BVI's financial industry.

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