Tafari Crick-McClean (second from left) in talks with Executive Chef Peter Edey (left), Managing Director of The Dining Club Group of Companies; Cleviston Hunte (centre), Director of Youth in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth; Greg Quinn (second right), British High Commissioner to Guyana and Steven Keats, Vice President of Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd following the Employers’ Summit.
Gaining work experience key for young people
Sat, 08/27/2016 - 12:00am
One graduate of the Ministry of Youth’s Endless Possibilities job attachment programme, is singing the praises of the programme which helped him to gain valuable work experience.
Twenty-year old Tafari Crick-McClean told an audience gathered at the recent Employers’ Summit held at the Hilton Hotel, that youth need more opportunities to gain work experience and as such, he is happy to see the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth partnering with Prince’s Trust International, to bring on stream the Get Into Programme, which will help in this area.
“Prince’s Trust International is a network, including programmes, mentors, communities, employers and youth willing to better themselves and others. The Get Into Programme in particular is one which can significantly increase the productivity of the youth on this island. They can benefit from the programme, by gaining relevant knowledge and skills to fit into specific sectors, even gaining educational qualifications where necessary,” Crick McClean said.
“However, gaining work experience is the main catalyst for success in this programme. Above all, experience is the greatest way to learn and there are hardly enough (employers) willing to take a risk on someone inexperienced,” he stressed.
“The Get Into programme works with sectors such as logistics, hospitality and hopefully in the future, healthcare and other sectors. 98% of persons leaving Get Into, feel ready and more equipped to take on the world. More than half that graduate go on to gain employment,” he added.
Noting that he has dreams of becoming a chef and opening up one of the most prestigious restaurants on the island, Crick-McClean however noted that his immediate goal is to gain more experience in the hospitality industry, work with some of the best chefs on the island and create a career for himself, based on what he learns.
He is meanwhile urging local employers to come on board the Get Into Programme, and give youth the opportunity to benefit from valuable work experience.