The Ministry of Home Affairs and Information, hosted 13 interns during the period July 24 to September 1, 2023.
The six-week internship saw the participants, aged 18 to 22, receive on-the-job training in administration, accounting, public affairs and clerical work.
They consisted of students from sixth-forms, The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados Community College, and the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology. They worked in all departments of the Ministry except the Government Printery, the Barbados Fire Service and the National Council on Substance Abuse.
Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, explained that the experience was “critical” as it afforded young persons the ability to understand the “world of work” as they developed their skills.
“I believe the internship programme of government is a critical part of the development of our young people. It allows them to pause in their studies, get real work experiences, and if they were studying in a particular field it allows them to put a practical application to what they are studying theoretically at school,” Minister Abrahams stated.
Speaking about the interns, the Minister said they were “amazing” and based on the reports received from the various departments, the “programme was a fantastic success”.
Having interacted with them, Mr. Abrahams noted they were a very interesting and diverse bunch of people with different personalities, outlooks and backgrounds. “But they all had one thing in common, they were all very, very positive. And I believe they benefitted from the programme,” he stressed.
Keoni Williams, who interned at the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS), thanked Minister Abrahams, the Ministry, Director Sabu Best and the entire staff at the BMS for the opportunity. He said: “During my time at the Meteorological Services, I’ve been exposed to many things within the field of meteorology. As an aspiring Meteorologist, I did a lot of research on climate with elevated heat indices and high temperatures and its effect on society and contributed to the Climate Outlook Newsletter.”
Khloe Nandwani interned at the Department of Emergency Management (DEM). In expressing thanks to the Department for the stint, she noted that she learnt a lot in her experience. “I definitely gained a better knowledge of how to prepare in an emergency and also a better understanding of work experience,’ she said.
The other interns were: Janique Greene, Olujimi-Chumachienda Layne, Malik Mehter, Cherina Nurse, Kaliyah Boxill, Zara Owen, Ajani Bishop, Tashawana Williams, Natalia Brathwaite, Javonn Alleyne and Samuel Clarke.