Twenty women will receive job training skills as part of a four-week workshop being hosted by the Zonta Club of New Providence and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).
The workshop, which officially began yesterday, will give the women skills in areas such as completing application forms, office decorum, conflict resolution, work ethics, job search techniques among other skills.
“The Government of the Bahamas cannot do everything for everybody,” Minister of Social Services, Melanie Griffin told the participants during the opening ceremony yesterday.
“We are here at the opening of a programme that has the potential to positively change the lives of the young women who have been selected to participate in this training. Young women, you are indeed fortunate to have been selected and I trust that you will take full advantage of the opportunity offered to you. This programme is designed to prepare you to join or re-join our country’s workforce.”
She also told the women that they will only get as much from the programme that they are willing to put in.
“No one owes you a job,” the social services minister said.
“You have to actively search for employment and prove your worth to a potential employer. Why should you be hired over the others seeking the same position? The government will not be able to hire everyone. Everybody wants a government job as there are some distinct advantages, including security but it is impossible for the government to hire everyone.”
Mrs. Griffin said the participants must also keep in mind that there are more than 5,000 graduates each year, the job market is extremely competitive and employers have a very large pool to draw from.
“Naturally, they will select the most qualified and those who demonstrate that they are serious about gaining and holding a job,” she said.
“Young women this programme puts you on the cutting edge above your competitors in the job market and will help you to acquire those skills necessary to get and keep a job. I already indicated that I expect you to take this training seriously. If you practice these skills now, you will be successful on your job.”
The Journal spoke to several of the participants who said they were delighted to be part of the four-week workshop.
One of the ladies, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she was “extremely grateful” to be selected by the Zonta Club.
“I am so happy because I’m a single mother and I have been looking for a job for the past three years non-stop,” she said.
“Eventually, I got depressed thinking it was something personal because I couldn’t get a job. Being unemployed is not an easy thing to deal with. I have mouths to feed and bills to pay. I am grateful that I will have this opportunity to enhance my skills and hopefully after that I will get a job within a short period of time.”
The programme will end on August 10 with a graduation ceremony and at that time the top performer from the workshop will receive a scholarship to attend BTVI.
