Four companies were awarded at the Employability Unit's Employers Engagement event.

Forging greater synergies and strengthening partnerships were the focus of the Employability Unit’s Employers Engagement event, which was held at Illaro Court on Friday, August 30th, 2024.

In her welcome remarks, Senior Youth Commissioner and Coordinator of the Employability Unit, Elizabeth Bowen, alluded to the Unit’s success being hinged on the synergies with companies in the private sector. While she thanked their corporate partners for their critical empowering and supporting roles, she emphasized the importance of the Unit’s functions.

Bowen’s sentiments were echoed by Maria Boyce-Taylor, Associate Director of Client and Employee Engagement at CIBC Caribbean, who highlighted the omni-channel’s bank ‘culture of care’, while noting its commitment to empowering young people.

She added: “We were pleased to provide support through this year’s Camp Employing Minds. Our goal and hope is that we will see them in our Emerging Programme, where they will work for 18 months with the possibility of future employment”.

CIBC Caribbean’s contribution to Camp Employing Minds, which included pivotal guidance on dressing for success and work preparation, was facilitated by Kathleen Hall, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Development.

Camper, Aisean Jones, lauded Hall and Shemeika Williams of the Employability Unit for enriching his summer experience through the camp. While Jones noted that he was not keen on attending the camp initially, he opined that he gained knowledge in several areas through the camp’s team-building, problem solving, financial and entrepreneurial activities.

Jones was provided with the opportunity to apply some of this knowledge, when he secured an interview with a reputable wholesale company during the camp period.

The 17 year old credited Williams for ensuring he was adequately prepared, a move that later secured the job for Jones. His heartwarming account of the camp experience resonated with the Engagement’s attendees, who beamed with pride as they learned that Jones emerged as the Most Outstanding Camper this year.

Chief Operations Officer of Western Wholesale Inc. and Atlantic Marketing, Kobie Broomes, revealed that Jones will be joining their team as he reaffirmed the companies’ commitment to partnering with the Ministry.

While he noted that the benefits of the Employability Programme were two-fold in terms of empowering young persons and strengthening the partnerships with Corporate Barbados, Broomes disclosed that they welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Ministry upon learning about the programme.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, the Hon. Charles Griffith, lauded the Ministry’s team for their continued efforts to empower and support young persons. He also wholeheartedly thanked the partners for their continued commitment to the Ministry.

As Minister Griffith outlined the numerous initiatives that the Ministry is executing, he urged companies within the private sector to provide more opportunities for young persons to learn about financial literacy. He noted that he believes this will be a critical tool to assist them with money management.

Four corporate partners of the Employability Programme were presented with Awards as part of event. They were Barbados Revenue Authority, Hilton Barbados Resort, CIBC Caribbean and Sagicor Bank.