News > College Hosts Workforce Readiness Boot Camp 2009
College Hosts Workforce Readiness Boot Camp 2009 The College of The Bahamas hosted the Department of Education's second annual Workforce Readiness Boot Camp for high school students on April 2nd and 3rd. The Boot Camp was organized by the Ministry of Education, The Bahamas Hotel Association and the Culinary & Hospitality Management Institute of The College with a slate of speakers and presenters, highly respected in the field of tourism and hospitality. In her welcoming remarks, College President, Janyne Hodder, reminded the approximately 200 high school students from the capital's senior high schools that one of the aims of the camp was to "build up your professional skills, your presentation of yourself and your basic level of ability so you will have more chances of entering the world of employment because the doors of opportunity will not only be opened more easily but you will also have more tools to make the most of those opportunities." She continued, "Here at The College, we are in the business of helping students realize their aspirations and shape their passions, broaden their outlooks and achieve their goals. They cannot do it, though, if they are not well qualified, highly motivated and driven to succeed and if they don't have the knowledge and skills to make a difference in the work place."  And she explained why: "Universities are creators of knowledge," she said, "the builders of new ideas, and students and graduates from our university will have an important part to play in this process. You will be able to make an even greater difference in all walks of life in the country if you have university qualifications because you will be all the more marketable." President of The Bahamas Hotel Association, Robert Sands, also welcomed the students, stating how pleased he was to see such a large number of young people with an interest in gaining employment in the tourism and hospitality industries. As a veteran of over thirty years in the industry, Mr Sands is eminently qualified to offer advice and he told the students that success comes when preparation meets opportunity and he stressed that as opportunities present themselves every day, the key thing is to be prepared to take them. "It is your responsibility to prepare yourselves to be in a position to act positively when opportunity knocks," he said. He went on to explain that in the tourism industry at this time there is a talent gap because The Bahamas lacks a sufficient number of school leavers who are prepared with the necessary skills to enter the workplace and to meet the high demands and expectations of consumers visiting these shores. He continued by emphasizing the importance of self presentation in gaining employment in the country's main industry. "From the completing of application forms to body language and preparedness at an interview and comments made on Facebook pages," he warned, "all can influence a young person's suitability for getting that desired position." He wished all students well, hoping they would gain knowledge and interest from the many sessions that had been planned to "expose [the students] to the various dynamics of the work environment and to assist you in your preparation to effectively and efficiently enter a competitive global work force." Among the sessions planned for the two day camp are: Entry Level Employment Competencies with Beverley Saunders, Vice President Organizational Development& Training, Atlantis, and Nicole Henfield, Manager Customer Service, Nassau Airport Development Company Ltd.; Winning Interview Tips with Ivan Evans, Director, Housekeeping, Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, and Gena Brown, Assistant Manager Training: Human Resources, Bank of The Bahamas; Personal Branding with Stacia Williams, CEO – Total Image Management & Communications Co Ltd.; and Entrepreneurship vs Employment With Charlene Paul, President YESHUA Int.; and Ian Ferguson, President, Transformation Catalyst Consultants.
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