ESHS students encouraged to explore jobs in technical field
The Minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of the ESHS Career Expo 2012 on February 13, 2012. The Expo is being held under the theme “Pursuing Purposeful and Profitable Productivity- Transferable skills...the road to survival” and over the next two days will see persons from the Financial Services Industry, Public Service Sector and NGOs visit the school to enlighten students on the career opportunities that are available in those sectors.
According to Minister Walwyn, Government is committed to ensuring that young people become engaged and involved in the development of the Virgin Islands and that there would be need for lots of technical skills and expertise to make that a reality. He noted that while the country is grateful that persons have come from out of the country to provide those needed skills and expertise, the opportunities will be there for Virgin Islanders to capitalise on.
“I want to take this time to encourage as many of you students gathered here today, to explore jobs, training and a career in the technical field. I have to admit that as a community we have not done a good enough job with helping students that are technically inclined find opportunities for personal and career advancement. Over the course of this year, my Ministry will be taking the lead in helping to reshape the image of technical and vocational professions. It should no longer be that we do all that we can to encourage our students to become doctors, lawyers and accountants, without shining a light on the other options. While becoming a doctor, lawyer or accountant is commendable, in order for the Virgin Islands to be competitive globally and in order for all members of our community to be actively involved in the advancement of our islands, we surely need professionals in as many fields as possible and those in the technical and vocational field are especially needed."
Commenting on the Career Expo, Minister Walwyn told the students they would be future of the Virgin Islands in the next ten or twenty years as they will be the public servants, teachers and business men and women. “Today’s career will be very important in helping you become good professionals of tomorrow’s Virgin Islands. I encourage you to take your time, listen carefully and ask many questions and learn about as many careers as you can before you decide which one best suits your personality and your personal aspirations.”
And addressing the theme of the Career Expo “Pursuing Purposeful and Profitable Productivity- Transferable skills...the road to survival”, Minister Walwyn said he takes it to mean an encouragement to young people to find careers that will allow them to to earn an income, live independently with skills that are needed in the community; offering a service while they gain economic empowerment.
Keynote speaker Mr. Jason Rubaine of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports carved his speech around the theme of the Expo and urged the students to develop a good habit to pursue their goals. He also told them that once they realise where they want to be and what they want to do and decide to follow, they should do it with determination and avoiding distractions so that they could safely anticipate to produce abundantly.
The Career Expo, which is being held from February 13–16, is aimed at fourth and fifth form students and will showcase available career opportunities in the small business and technical sectors of the economy. The event will culminate with a College and University Fair on February Thursday February 16, 2012.
5 Responses to “ESHS students encouraged to explore jobs in technical field ”