Last Thursday, February 9, 2023, the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Community Empowerment’s Next Steps Training Initiative (NSTI) hosted an orientation session for 40 young men and women, who signed up for its Drive & Work Programme.
The programme, like other NSTI initiatives, focusses on providing training and certification in areas of interest by participants for job opportunities, personal career advancement or self-employment. The Drive and Work Programme is a direct response to calls for licensed heavy duty drivers in the growing industries of construction, distribution and freighting.
In addressing the participants, Youth Projects Coordinator, David Denny, confirmed that the Ministry of Youth would be covering the full cost for participants to gain their certification.
Participants were also informed that they would be required to participate in a two-day soft skills programme, facilitated by the Employability Programme team of the Youth Development Programme.
The two-day programme will include team building, work ethics and etiquette, time management and communication. Sessions are scheduled for February 20 and 21 for group 1, and February 23 and 24 for group 2.
Reiterating the importance of soft skills, Senior Youth Commissioner and Coordinator of the Employability Programme, Elizabeth Bowen, informed participants that it would take more than having technical skills to be employable.
She noted that possessing and strengthening their ‘soft skills’ would contribute to them being employable. “An employer is willing to work with persons with a good attitude [and] wonderful soft skills [as opposed] to a person who comes with all the fancy academics,” she added.
Also speaking at the orientation was Driving Instructor Matthew Gittens, who shared what participants should expect when they begin their driving classes. Each participant will receive two hours of driving practice each week for a minimum of three months.
Mr. Gittens also gave the participants a tour and brief demonstration of the ins and outs of the truck that they would be trained on.
The programme commenced on February 13, 2023.