Students are boosted by work experience
Adam Frederick worked on more than cars while
gaining work experience at Cars Ltd; he also had the
opportunity to repair a boat
Janmikal McLaughlin troubleshoots a car using the
most modern automotive technology
Jermaine Miles helps a customer to order new tyres
for his car. Apart from basic mechanics, Jermaine also
tends the shop, doing inventory and sales
Friday, June 11, 2004
Work experience is invaluable to students preparing to enter the job market,
says the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Co-ordinator from
the Employment Services Centre, Sumintra Ransome.
The Department encourages students to get involved in the available TVET
programmes at school.
This will help them get an early start in their chosen careers, to make
suitable and relevant career choices, said Ms Ransome.
The Ministry of Education, Human Resources and Culture in conjunction with
the Department of Employment Relations introduced the TVET initiative in 2003 to
increase young Caymanians’ awareness of previously untapped job opportunities.
Immigration statistics show that there is a demand for workers in fields such
as automotive mechanics. Through TVET, students can improve their skills to
become part of a relevant and adaptive labour force, explained Ms Ransome.
John Gray High School student, Adam Frederick, attests to the success of TVET
after recently completing several weeks as an apprentice at Cars Ltd.
“I recommend the experience to any young person leaving high school. I had
the opportunity to work with trained mechanics, exploring all the different
areas of the automotive trade,” he said.
Robert Campbell, owner of Cars Ltd, is impressed with Adam’s performance: “He
used his time here well, asking questions and learning as much as possible. This
experience will definitely help him as he starts his college studies next year.”
According to Mr Campbell it is important for students to get first hand
experience with all aspects of automotive work before settling on a specialty.
“The only way to get the necessary knowledge to choose the area they will
enjoy most, is through work experience,” he said.
Another John Gray student, Janmikal McLaughlin, managed an early start to his
mechanics career by landing a part-time position at Superior Auto. Janmikal
graduates this year and will return to work at Superior Auto full-time before
starting his studies.
This highlights yet another benefit of work experience according to Ms
Ransome. “Employers are more likely to employ people who they know through
part-time work or work experience programmes.”
Mark DeMarcado, owner of Superior Auto, agrees that working in the field in
which you want to qualify, has great benefits.
“After working here, Janmikal will have a clear picture of what will be
expected from him when he starts college for theoretical training,” he said.
Students don’t necessarily have to be school leavers to enter into a work
experience programme, Ms Ransome pointed out.
Jermaine Miles, a 14-year-old George Hicks student, can already change spark
plugs, batteries, filters and brake pads. It was his passion for cars that led
him to Tony’s Toys where he works on weekends and school holidays, earning a
small salary.
Owner/manager Tony Williams says he is impressed with the level of expertise
Jermaine has achieved at his age.
“With his level of commitment and the knowledge he has gained, he won’t have
a problem finding work after school,” he says.
The Department of Employment Relations intends to establish a National
Training Board (NTB) that will oversee TVET and the TVET apprenticeship
programme.
The NTB will establish a form of industry driven qualification setting the
standard for anyone entering the automotive industry.
TVET 2004 will run from 11 to 15 October.
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