Over 100 graduate BEST training

Officials are reporting success with some aspects of the Barbados Employment and Sustainable Transformation (BEST) scheme, as scores of tourism sector workers graduate from the training programme.

The National Transformation Initiative (NTI), in partnership with the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) celebrated 115 graduates on Monday, who officials said have now gained in-demand tourism skills.

The participants who made up the first and second cohorts of the over 15-week training programme, hailed from 12 tourism entities, the majority of which were hotels.

They completed training in a variety of areas including landscaping and gardening, cake and pastry making, plumbing for homeowners, photovoltaic installation and photovoltaic electrical installation and electric vehicle maintenance.

During the virtual graduation ceremony on Monday, Principal of the SJPI Ian Drakes and Director of the National Transformation Initiative (NTI) Dr Allyson Leacock encouraged workers in the tourism industry to continue to be on “the cutting edge” and not to be afraid of exploring new areas for development as they seek to become leaders in their profession.

Drakes reported that the majority of the participants in the retooling and retraining exercise took part in the cake and pastry making courses with 49 entries and 30 each in landscape and gardening and plumbing for homeowners.

Describing the interest as “very heartening”, Drakes said a total of 95 students successfully completed their enrolled courses, with the majority of them receiving a grade A.

“Your performance is a good indicator that this initiative has the ability to grow and satisfy the purpose for which it was designed,” said Drakes.

The training under the $300 million BEST scheme, was developed in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector and to help industry players re-engage their workers while sharpening their skills to help transform the sector.

“Never be afraid to be a mover and shaker in this society even when life tries to stop you. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours,” Drakes told the graduates as he heaped praises on them for their achievement.

Meanwhile, Leacock reported that the NTI has been “gaining momentum” over the past two years, proving that blended learning – both online and in person – works.

“NTI wants to be the engine that drives that process – to allow you to see how different styles of learning can be accommodated – not just online but with hybrid courses. Our partnership with the SJPI for the BEST programme also signals an intention that we have to work in partnership with others to complement what they are doing,” said Leacock.

She urged tourism industry workers to continue to be innovative as they help to solve everyday challenges.

“Commit to being on the cutting edge of whatever your area of interest may be. So for cake and pastry for example, we have to confront the childhood obesity. So less sugar, but it doesn’t mean they have to look any less beautiful,” she said. (MM)