???If your attitude isn???t right, adjust it! You are the only one who has the power to, and if you do, it will take you far.???
That???s the advice coming from Training and Development Manager at the Sandy Lane Hotel, Samantha Wilkinson, to graduates and participants of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth???s Endless Possibilities Programme.
She was speaking at the opening ceremony for the 2014 Cohort and Presentation of Certificates for the 2013 students at the Ministry???s training room in Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.
Endless Possibilities is a public/private sector partnership offered by the Division of Youth that seeks to proactively respond to the needs of Barbadian youth and the labour market.
Twenty-five youngsters completed the 2013 session, while 34 were enrolled into the 2014 cohort of the job attachment and mentorship programme, held annually for unattached or unemployed youth between the ages of 16 and 24.
During the five-month session, participants are given the opportunity to gain life and job skills, as well as develop and enhance their work ethics so they could ultimately gain employment.
Ms. Wilkinson told the audience that her organisation???s participation in the programme ???bore much fruit???. She added that when Sandy Lane Hotel was contacted to offer job attachments to the Endless Possibilities participants, management responded enthusiastically.
Stressing that the prestigious hotel believed in social partnerships and investing in young people, especially those interested in pursuing a career in hospitality, she said, ???We place a lot of emphasis on skills because it is important that you know how to do what you do, but most of the emphasis is really placed on attitude.
???If you have a good attitude, then there is little that you can???t achieve at the highest level. If you have a good attitude, you can learn to do just about anything and do it well,??? she added.
The Sandy Lane Manager further explained that the organisation always looked for the best talent as its guests ???expect the best of the best service at all times???.
???We are committed to delivering that service, so we have to hire the best people to ensure that we are able to stay on top,??? she noted, also pointing out, ???We look very carefully at all our candidates and we pay a lot of attention to attitude and enthusiasm.???
Ms. Wilkinson disclosed that two participants, Vincent Smith and Chris St. Hill, were successful in gaining internships at the five-diamond property, with Mr. Smith earning full-time employment.
She said the young men exhibited essential qualities and concluded that those characteristics helped them to be successful in the programme and at Sandy Lane.?????Both showed us they are interested in being the very best,??? she reasoned.
The Training and Development Manager also urged the Endless Possibilities graduates and participants to focus on continuous improvement. ???Always look for ways to do it better and better the next time, and the next time. These are the values that we look for when we are interviewing and inviting people to join us for an internship or permanent position,??? she said.
Reiterating that the right attitude was crucial for success, Ms. Wilkinson advised the audience, ???No matter where you go, make sure you put your best foot forward every day and that you do your best. Try to continuously improve yourself every single day and if you do that, you will be a success wherever you go.???
shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb