Wednesday, February 11 – Students at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) are gearing up for their 2009 Career Expo which will focus on small business and technical sectors of the economy.

The expo which is slated for Monday, February 16 will be held under the theme “Pursuing Purposeful and Profitable Productivity:  Transferable Skills, the road to Survival”.

Coordinator of the Career Expo and Guidance Counsellor Reverend Keith Lewis said in a GIS Radio Report that the demands of industry and commerce and the availability of opportunities in the global marketplace demand a greater degree of preparedness and awareness on the part of those who will be tomorrow’s economic leaders.  “Success favours those who are prepared. As we have a cohort of students preparing to leave the high school and embrace a new future, we want to allow them the opportunity of hope,” he said.

Noting that it is important not to only prepare oneself for one career opportunity, he said “a successful employee has to be a person who is very mobile.”

“I want the students to walk away with the understanding that their future is bright, Mr. Lewis said, adding, “this is the best of time because it is a time of opportunities for the students but they must understand that preparation favours them.”

The Career Expo which is being sponsored by the International Finance Centre and the BVI Banking Association will begin with an opening ceremony at the Elmore Stoutt High School (under the tent) on February 16 at 8:40 a.m.  Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Andrew Fahie will deliver remarks and declare the career expo open. 

The four-day event will continue with presentations on Tuesday, February 17 highlighting careers in tourism and financial services including banking, insurance, shipping, investment and other disciplines.

On Wednesday, February 18 students will benefit from presentations in a number of different career paths including agriculture, communication, social development, law enforcement (immigration, policing and customs) and other   government services.

The career expo will culminate on Thursday, February 19 with the Colleges and University Fair, and approximately 20 universities and colleges are expected to participate in this recruitment drive.  The ESHS is inviting parents and guardians to come out and support the 2009 Career Expo and the students as they prepare for their future careers.

The career expo, held annually, is designed to expose the students, particularly the senior students, to the world of work.