Business houses keen on employing youngsters knowledgeable on money matters could refer to the Young Employee Socialization Training Programme. There they would find a cadre of persons trained in basics of financial matters. The graduation session was held at the Community College last Monday.

Some 47 persons received certificates having attended the four-day exercise. Students were exposed to money matters, and other aspects of work.{{more}}

However, two students Denece Pompey and Trendon Cato received special awards. Pompey received the Rotary award while Cato collected the President’s award.

Pompey, from the suburban district of Murray’s Village, used the opportunity to prepare herself for her degree in Economics. She recently completed her final year at the Community College and looks forward to the University of the West Indies.

Pompey thought the workshop “was quite interesting.” She praised the instructors whom she said were “helpful.”

Pompey plans to be a financial consultant. She believed that the training was “a good pilot programme. It would be interesting and helpful to others in the future.”

Cato considered the presentations by the facilitators as “insightful”

He stated: “they presented a lot of things people need to know.” Cato is also a Community College student. He is a member of the St. John’s Mesopotamia Catholic Church and plays guitar with the Church’s choir. He considered the training exercise as “exciting” and he is hoping that others (would) take advantage.”

“It really helps,” Cato added.

The participants received certificates. According to coordinator Cheryl Rodriquez, the training would prepare the youngsters for work.

The graduating class heard from former Eastern Caribbean Central Bank resident representative Henry Gaynes. He admitted changing his views on young people, having interacted with them over the days. He confessed having branded young people as “irresponsible” before he sat with them and added that he learnt a lot during the venture.

Sagicor’s Agency manager Stanley Browne noted that stepping into the world of work could be daunting for many youngsters and that the workshop provided an “excellent opportunity for participants” to have answers to their queries.

He warned that there was “no substitute for hard work” and there was no place for lazy people.

Errol Allen of the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking and Financial Services and Rotary’s president Andre Cadougan also addressed the ceremony.