Fifth and sixth form students of Queen’s College yesterday received some valuable lessons on the world about work from staff of the Ministry of Labour.
The Ministry took its GIVE Programme, an acronym for Great attitudes, Initiative, Values and Excellence, to the school as staff sought to instill in students attributes which would assist them in the job market.
GIVE, which is now in its fourth year and has visited over 30 primary and secondary schools across Barbados, uses drama as a tool to highlight the "dos and don’ts" of preparing for a job interview and for entering the workforce.
The drama touched on five areas of professional conduct called the five P’s – punctuality, pleasant personality, protection of property, perfect attendance and positive attitude.
Coordinator, Cheryl Grogan, expressed satisfaction with the feedback from students, noting that the programme continued to have a positive response from teachers and guidance counsellors alike.
She added that while the 15-minute dramatic piece, which focuses on the differing fortunes of two young women applying for the same job, was quite humorous, it carried a serious message for those young Barbadians who are job seeking.
"You must cultivate good values and practices early. ??Simple things such as how you write your r??sum?? are important. You cannot write or speak the same way as you would when conversing with your friends on Facebook, messaging or texting.
"In addition, you must dress appropriately for work, be early and display all of those positive attributes which are critical to being successful in the workplace.?? Too often, persons take the bad habits they have cultivated and bring them into the workplace and this will not sit well with employers," Ms. Grogan explained.
The Labour Ministry’s GIVE programme continues next Tuesday, October 5, at the St. James Secondary, Trents, St. James, followed by the Alleyne Secondary, Belleplaine, St. Andrew, on Wednesday, October 6.?? The programme is scheduled for 10 schools during this term.????askeete@barbados.gov.bb