The last school bell has tolled and thousands of high school graduates who won't be seeking higher education are hitting the streets in search of employment.  For many, this transition from the classroom to the workplace will be quite a challenge -- not only because of the present economic climate, but because many graduates are not prepared for the real world that is work.  Many of the new graduates lack the hard and soft skills required to satisfactorily meet the needs of the employers. Determined to close this gap, in June 2010, Total Image Management & Communications chief executive officer, Stacia Williams held the first Professional Edge For New Grads Career Readiness Program to equip new graduates with the skills, competencies and behaviors required to bring immediate value to employers and teach new graduates how to succeed in the workplace. This year Williams has added an entrepreneurial component to the program which runs over two session, Wednesday, June 29 and Thursday, June 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort, and Monday, July 4 and Tuesday, July 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Doctors Hospital Conference Room.  The program is free to 2011 public school graduates who have obtained a 2.5 or higher grade point average. All other participants pay $250. "What do our high school grads know about entrepreneurship?  It's hard to tell since after they 'out-grow' their baby-sitting empires, close down their weekend car washes and graduate from the Junior Achievement Program, many seem to lose their entrepreneurial instincts," says Williams.  "This session has been added to help keep the entrepreneurial flame alive, to help new grads to see the world of work through the eyes of an employer, and to encourage new grads to pursue their dreams of being business owners.  During this segment grads will be divided into teams. Their mission [will be] to develop a business plan for an original idea or to improve on an existing idea. They will present their plan before a panel of judges and a winning plan will be chosen." Speakers at this year's Professional Edge For New Grads Career Readiness Program include Senator Michael Pintard, Dionosio D'Aguilar (president/CEO Superwash), Craig "Tony" Gomez (managing partner at Baker Tilly Gomez), Greg Bethel (president Fidelity Bank), Ernesto Gongora (president Toastmasters Club 1600), Selvin Basden (director of Human Resources Bank of The Bahamas), Lester Cox (Bigga Life Seminars), Beverley Saunders (director Atlantis University), Cyprianna Bethel (Human Resources Manager Central Bank) and Williams - CEO Total Image Management & Communications. Workshop topics that will be discussed include career planning, job search strategies, interviewing skills, preparing to compete in a global arena, business writing (resumes, cover letters, reports), personal vision, values and mission statements, self management, personal branding and customer service excellence. New graduates will also engage in talks on decision making, critical thinking and problem solving, public speaking, time management, building work relationships (interpersonal skills), entrepreneur training (including steps to starting a business), work ethics and professionalism in the workplace, how to accept constructive criticism, projecting a positive, polished professional image, business etiquette including dining etiquette, leadership skills, building relationships and getting along with others in the workplace, team building, money management and networking like a professional.

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