Education

Ministry Of Home Affairs Hosted 13 Interns During The Summer

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Information, hosted 13 interns during the period July 24 to September 1, 2023.

The six-week internship saw the participants, aged 18 to 22, receive on-the-job training in administration, accounting, public affairs and clerical work.

They consisted of students from sixth-forms, The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados Community College, and the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology. They worked in all departments of the Ministry except the Government Printery, the Barbados Fire Service and the National Council on Substance Abuse.

Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, explained that the experience was “critical” as it afforded young persons the ability to understand the “world of work” as they developed their skills.

“I believe the internship programme of government is a critical part of the development of our young people. It allows them to pause in their studies, get real work experiences, and if they were studying in a particular field it allows them to put a practical application to what they are studying theoretically at school,” Minister Abrahams stated.

Speaking about the interns, the Minister said they were “amazing” and based on the reports received from the various departments, the “programme was a fantastic success”.

Having interacted with them, Mr. Abrahams noted they were a very interesting and diverse bunch of people with different personalities, outlooks and backgrounds. “But they all had one thing in common, they were all very, very positive. And I believe they benefitted from the programme,” he stressed.

Keoni Williams, who interned at the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS), thanked Minister Abrahams, the Ministry, Director Sabu Best and the entire staff at the BMS for the opportunity. He said: “During my time at the Meteorological Services, I’ve been exposed to many things within the field of meteorology. As an aspiring Meteorologist, I did a lot of research on climate with elevated heat indices and high temperatures and its effect on society and contributed to the Climate Outlook Newsletter.”

Khloe Nandwani interned at the Department of Emergency Management (DEM). In expressing thanks to the Department for the stint, she noted that she learnt a lot in her experience. “I definitely gained a better knowledge of how to prepare in an emergency and also a better understanding of work experience,’ she said.

The other interns were: Janique Greene, Olujimi-Chumachienda Layne, Malik Mehter, Cherina Nurse, Kaliyah Boxill, Zara Owen, Ajani Bishop, Tashawana Williams, Natalia Brathwaite, Javonn Alleyne and Samuel Clarke. (PR/GIS)

Education

Immigration Webinar For Students Wishing To Study In Canada

Barbadians interested in pursuing studies in Canada are invited to participate in the online Immigration Seminar of the Consulate General of Barbados, in Toronto.

The Consulate, as part of its annual activities to observe National Heroes Day, is hosting a week of activities, and the key event will be the Immigration Seminar tomorrow Thursday, April 24, at 6:00 p.m.

Over the past 12 months, there have been significant changes to the requirements and processes for obtaining an international student visa. As a result, the seminar will focus on the recent changes to the entry requirements for international students coming to Canada to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Prospective students, as well as parents, guardians, guidance counsellors, school teachers and principals, who have a vested interest in obtaining the most up-to-date and accurate information to make the most informed choice from the available study options, are encouraged to participate in the online seminar.

Alana Alleyne, a barrister and solicitor, will cover areas such as the latest changes to international student visas, eligibility criteria for student visas, requirements for postgraduate work permits, and changes to eligibility for spousal work permits. (PR/GIS)

Education

Information Session For Teachers Keen On Working In USA

Primary school teachers interested in working in the United States of America (USA) are invited to an upcoming Information Session, tomorrow Thursday, April 24.

The session will be hosted in the Main Conference Room of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The initiative is being facilitated by the Ministry, in partnership with the Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service, the Barbados Union of Teachers, and Participate Learning, a USA recruitment firm.

During the event, Participate Learning will share important information on the application and recruitment processes, as well as on working in the USA. (PR/GIS)

Education

Ellerslie Students Welcomed At Barbados’ Embassy In Panama

The Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama was pleased to welcome The Ellerslie School students and staff to its Chancery in Panama City, recently.

Chargé d’Affaires, Sandra Gittens, in her welcome to the group, which included Principal, Andrea Baptiste and Deputy Principal, Carl Applewhaite, shared the history of the mission, noting that the Embassy was established in 2020.

Mrs. Gittens said this was “in line with the Barbados Government’s desire to strengthen its relations and cooperation with Panama across a number of areas, including trade, investment, tourism and education”.

She expressed the hope that the visit would signal the start of a new relationship with The Ellerslie School in pursuit of future student-to-student and teacher-to-teacher exchanges, in collaboration with the Ministries of Educational Transformation and Training and Tertiary Education and its Panamanian counterpart, within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.

Speaking on the value of learning a foreign language, First Secretary, Shireifa Joseph, spoke of her experience as a foreign language student and the positive impact that it has had on her career.

She encouraged the students to continue their foreign language journey, signalling that they were well on their way to becoming “bridge builders” in their future careers with the capacity to connect Barbados to other countries across the globe.

Counsellor at the Embassy, Michelle Carter, also noted the value of language learning, especially for those studying tourism, stating that developing a strong proficiency in a foreign language will serve as a critical tool in opening doors to their success in this sector, whether in Barbados or abroad. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Students, teachers and parents of the Ellerslie secondary school to the Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama