NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (August 29, 2013) – The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force Nevis Division, the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services and the Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) Ministry of Social Development’s Social Services Department for the first time joined 24 other businesses and government agencies across Nevis to train 44 interns assigned to them under the Youth Affairs Division’s 10th Annual Summer Job Attachment Programme.
Youth Services Coordinator in the Ministry of Social Development’s Youth Affairs Division Mrs. Diana Pemberton, made the disclosure at the programme’s closing ceremony on August 23, when she also noted that this year’s programme was an exceptional one.
“For the first time in the programme’s history, students were assigned to the Royal St. Christopher and the Nevis Police Force Nevis Division along with the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services. Five interns were given an opportunity to experience the daily operations for six weeks. In addition, two interns were placed with Mr. Curtis Morton at the Ministry of Social Development in the field of sports casting,” she said.
Pemberton who also noted that nine interns were assigned to the health services programme at the Alexandra Hospital, said this year’s job attachment programme commenced with an application process in May and interview sessions in June conducted in collaboration with the programme’s partner, Hope Nevis Inc. This was followed by a two-day training workshop.
“On the first day, the session ‘Understanding Yourself and the World of Work’ was facilitated by Ms. Desery Ottley while Ms. Anesta Maynard and Diane Paul facilitated a session on ‘Anger Management and Conflict Resolution in the Work Place.’ An exciting and educational session on ‘Customer Service’ was presented by Mr. Randolph Boddie of Boddie’s Café. This was followed by ‘Resume Writing Tips’ by Mrs. Diana Pemberton after which a selection of 44 interns was made,” she stated.
The internship programme which began in 2003, offers secondary school students the opportunity to experience the world of work through a six-week internship. It teaches students with limited or no employment experience how to seek and retain employment, introduces them to a variety of career opportunities, allows them to develop practical work skills and professional ethics and, learn and benefit from a professional mentorship within the organisation they are placed.
“This mentorship significantly shapes the work values the future employee develops…I would like to appeal to the interns to cherish the skills and values learned over the past six weeks and use them in your daily lives.
“To the employers, I say a heartfelt thank you for your support this year and over the years and do hope that we can look forward to your investment in our nation’s youth next year,” Pemberton said.