15 students benefit from Bank of SVG

Vincentian students desirous of gaining employment after leaving school have been told that while education does not guarantee employment, the higher the education level one attains, the more competitive the individual will be on the job market.{{more}}

This is the message that was passed on by Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines Errol Allen, while addressing the bank’s scholarship awards ceremony on October 4.

“One noteworthy statistic is the fact that the less education a person receives, the more difficult it is for him or her to find employment. An even more telling statistic is that the unemployment rate of someone without a secondary school certificate or diploma is almost twice as high as someone with a secondary school qualification,” Allen said.

Comparing the past to the present, the bank’s Chairman said persons are now spending longer periods in school, which according to him, is positive for the educational advancement of the nation.

“There was a time in St Vincent and the Grenadines, when hardly more than a dozen boys and a dozen girls entered the Sixth Form annually. It might surprise you.

“Not that there were not eligible candidates; there just was not enough space to accommodate them. But today, there is universal secondary education and the number of students who become eligible to attend the Community College is several times greater than the modest number a generation ago,” he said.

Allen reminded the scholarship recipients that many of them are now embarking on a secondary school career, while others are moving on to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College and they are the ones responsible for making the correct choices for their future.

“If you walk blindfolded into the future, then you are going to experience some dark patches. If you have your eyes open and you make wise choices, then your future can be engaging, interesting and exciting.

“I urge you all to seek the opportunities that confront you. And to the parents, while education is a big investment in time and money, the investment pays off in the long run,” Allen said.

Fifteen persons were awarded scholarships which were presented in four different categories.

Tiffany Durrant and Sachi Sutherland received Staff Children scholarships; Education Assistance went to Raycarter Williams, Drewvorni Charles and Aaron Jackson; Kennie Isles and Kaylah Leigertwood-Ollivierre were beneficiaries of Mortgage scholarships; Hard Area scholarships went to Renaldo Lavia — North Windward, Deshia Murray — North Leeward, Tishana Friday — Northern Grenadines and Britney John — Southern Grenadines; Cherriane Davis, Khandi Januque, Shafel Mc Dowell and Pedrique Pompey were the A’ Level scholarship recipients. (AA)