From left to right: Micro Macro Team Leader, Daquane Need; Micro Macro Interns Samuel Boston and Asantie Murrell; United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the OECS, Stephen O’Malley and UN Women Deputy Representative, Tonni Ann Brodber, after a robust interview process held for interns with key UN agencies.
This year’s Micro Macro Internship Programme has been successful in providing Barbadian youth, with critical employability skills.
Micro Macro is the flagship programme of the local charity, Small Enterprises for Education and Development (SEED) and in June of 2017, 112 distinct applications were made by young Barbadians, interested in becoming interns of the Micro Macro Internship Programme, Summer 2017.
According to SEED Trustee, Jason Francis, “Since the first internship in January 2012, Micro Macro has placed 49 interns in multiple organisations”.
He however noted that whilst the 2017 summer programme intended to place 40 interns for a six-week programme, various constraints meant that only 25 interns were able to receive placement.
“Interns began their first week of training on July 24, 2017, followed by four-week placements at various businesses. Following their placements, interns returned for one final week of training with a total of 19 interns satisfying the requirements to complete the programme” he indicated, noting that a graduation ceremony was held last month at the Grace Bible Church in Deacons, St. Michael, for those who were successful.
“Guided by a Leadership Team of eight members and liaisons from nine hosting organisations, Micro Macro interns gained hands-on learning experience which allowed them to integrate their formal education in the areas of Early Childhood Education, Sales and Marketing, Event Planning, Information Communication Technology, Administration Management, Development Research, and Entrepreneurship,” Francis revealed.
“During their two weeks of training, held at Class Act Conferences, sixteen professionals volunteered their time and expertise to conduct training sessions to build soft skills and competencies. Interns were encouraged to look within to define themselves, their purposes and their life goals. They were also given tools to expand their networks, overcome obstacles and plan to reach their personal goals. Finally, they were challenged, to speak openly about their experiences and prepare themselves for their exit interviews,” he added.
He meanwhile noted, that to date, SEED has been successfully partnered with a number of small businesses to increase private sector engagement in youth development and education in Barbados and to promote good Corporate Social Responsibility practices. SEED is also able to support small businesses by creating mechanisms for them to interact with and give back to their communities in meaningful ways while assisting Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises in their growth.
SEED housed two interns this summer, Mr. Samuel Boston and Ms. Asantie Murrell, who played a key role in assisting the organisation in its revamp process. Implementation of more new programmes is expected for 2018, to add to the Micro Macro Internship Programme. (RSM)