Terry Bascombe (third from right), Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth; and Counsellor, Kay Stoute (third from left), go through the agenda for the five-day World of Work Seminar, hosted by the Barbados Youth Service, with youth participants.
A number of youth in the Barbados Youth Service (BYS) have been encouraged to capitalise on all employment opportunities presented to them, by way of job attachments offered as part of the BYS programme.
This critical piece of advice came from Terry Bascombe, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, as he addressed the youth yesterday at a World of Work Seminar hosted by the BYS, at the headquarters of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) in Dalkeith, St. Michael.
“According to reports from the Barbados Statistical Service, the overall unemployment rate from 2015 to 2017 stood at 11.4 per cent.
The figures recorded for unemployment among youth stood on average at just over 30 per cent for the corresponding period – 2015 at 31.9 per cent; 2016 at 31.1 per cent and 2017 at 30.6 per cent. Bearing these statistics in mind, I would like to stress the importance of one, making good use of employment opportunities by way of job attachments as are offered by the BYS; and two, being appropriately trained in your chosen careers to ensure job security and to develop your country’s human resources.”
He further admonished, “When you embark on your ten-week attachment, whether next week or in a few months, as is the case for the CSEC students, your willingness to work, display of good work ethics and good staff relations will be determining factors in whether or not you could possibly maintain employment.”
“I urge you not to take this seminar or your work assignments lightly, as this is your opportunity to get your foot through the door and shine. I am confident that each of you have a contribution to make to this small island in whatever area you are interested in pursuing,” the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary further advised, as he encouraged those gathered to go out into the world of work and make a positive mark.
Counsellor Kay Stoute, meanwhile, reminded the youngsters that only those who attended all five days of the World of Work Seminar and put their best foot forward, would have the opportunity to be considered for a job attachment, as completion of this phase of the programme was key to their progression. As such, she encouraged the fifty or so young persons gathered to embrace the valuable information presented, which will enable them to function effectively in the working world.