By Kathryn Campbell
Public and private high school students are being exposed to careers in welding, architecture, engineering and more thanks to a new mentorship programme by the Ministry of Public Works.
Gregory Butler, Deputy Permanent Secretary, said the objective of the programme is to expose high school students to the various professions that are available at the Ministry.
“We are trying to get high school students involved in the various professions that we have. The students work with people in different disciplines so that they can see the kind of work that’s being done to decide if they like it,” said Mr. Butler.
“They work with them [our staff] in the field for two weeks. They go to sites, for example, to see what a building contractor is doing, to see what a building inspector has to do to make sure a house is in order so it can go to the second phase.”
The Minister of Works, the Hon. Desmond Bannister, presented certificates to students of Nassau Christian Academy and Jordan Prince Williams High School, who completed the two-week programme, and welcomed a new cohort from Anatol Rodgers Senior High School during a brief ceremony Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Hearing Room, University Drive.
Minister Bannister admonished the students to have a career that they are in love with. He encouraged them to grasp the opportunity and make the best of it. “It’s not for your parents it’s for you,” said Minister Bannister. “While you have the opportunity to make a choice, utilize it wisely.
“It doesn’t matter what anybody says to you about your potential. There are many people who will doubt whether you can do that what you want to do. There will be doubters all around. It depends on you and what you want to make of yourself.”
Students of A.F. Adderley High School also comprised the initial cohort.
The Hon. Desmond Bannister, Minister of Public Works, speaks to high school students who comprise the Ministry’s Career Mentoring Programme. Students who completed the first session received their certificates on Monday from Minister Bannister and Cora Colebrooke, Permanent Secretary.
(Photo/Ministry of Public Works)
