27 graduate from YES

Chad Greaves and Yandee Pierre were the Most Outstanding Students of the fifth Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking and Financial Services (ECIB & FS)Young Employee Socialization Programme.{{more}}

Greaves and Pierre each received $250 as winners of the President’s award and the Rotary award respectively.

All twenty-seven participants of the programme were awarded certificates for their completion of the six-day programme. The graduation ceremony took place on Monday, August 16, 2010, at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Division of Arts Sciences and General Studies at Villa.

Prior to the official graduation ceremony, the students, in three groups, displayed what they learnt about conduct in the workplace throughout the six-day programme.

Speaking to the students during the ceremony, Local Coordinator of the ECIB &FS Cheryl Rodriguez congratulated the students on finishing the course and encouraged them to take what they have learnt with them throughout their lives.

She further encouraged the students to prepare themselves financially for the future. “Do your part in being thrifty, trying to save where possible. Try to invest in your future. Don’t think that you’re too young,” she said.

President of the ECIB & FS Erroll Allen in his remarks told the students that in business, persons are paid in two currencies: cash and experience. He encouraged the students to take the experience first as the cash will come after.

He further encouraged the students to create paths for themselves and not to walk the paths that have been walked before.

“Go instead where there is no path and leave your trail,” he said.

Most Outstanding Student of the 2009 YES programme Joanna Reece encouraged the students to put into use all they have learnt during the programme.

The objective of the programme is to equip young high school and college graduates with the skills necessary for the workplace. Facilitators for this year’s programme included Dr. Adrian Fraser, Monica Woodley, Dr. Jules Ferdinand and Kirk DaSilva. The 27 graduates join the other 147 graduates of the YES programme in St. Vincent. (OS)