‘Sky’s the limit’

BHTA boss tells young people of huge potential for personal, career growth in tourism 

By Anesta Henry

Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Renee Coppin is calling on young people to embrace the sector and the opportunities for global reach and potential for personal growth that cannot be found in other industries.

She gave the advice on Wednesday as a new component was added to the government’s Job Start Plus programme that will guarantee young people the requisite skills and knowledge for entry into the tourism industry.

Job Start Tourism, a collaborative response by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector and the BHTA, was launched during the World of Work Training Workshop for 80 young people at Hilton Barbados.

Admitting that she has a strong passion for Barbados’ bread and butter industry, Coppin told the participants that besides countless career opportunities, people working in the sector will always be employable since tourism is responsible for one in ten jobs globally.

“This is an industry which you can enter at the most entry-level, and you can get to wherever it is that you want to, based only on your efforts. So when you walk into the various organisations that you would do internships with, I want you to think about how I make myself indispensable in whatever role I am fulfilling in this organisation because the only barrier to success in this industry is going to be you.

“Many sectors you may join as a teller, and 20 years later you may still be a teller; you may join as a constable, and 20 years later you may still be a constable. The only way that will happen in tourism is if that is where you are comfortable and that is where you want to stay. If you want to progress in this industry, the sky is the absolute limit,” Coppin told the young audience.

Sharing that she currently manages two small hotels, Coppin, a mother of two who began making her mark in the industry at age 25, pointed out to the participants that while there are significant benefits in the tourism sector, they must be prepared to work hard.

“And anything in life that is worth it, you work hard for. And if you embrace that potential that you have within, and the potential, therefore, that this industry can offer you, if you are willing to work hard, the sky is the absolute limit,” the hotelier said.

Outlining the merits of the Job Start Tourism initiative which provides work experience for persons ages 16-24 who are not currently employed or enrolled in education and training, the labour ministry’s Programme Manager for the Barbados People Development Programme, Erika Watson, told the trainees: “Job Start Tourism is the realisation of the vision behind Job Start Plus, where the private sector and the Government will come together to help young people gain invaluable work experience.”

While acknowledging that the job market here is very competitive and the transition from school to work challenging for many, she stressed that even most entry-level jobs required a minimum of a year’s work experience and nearly 50 per cent of school leavers could not find employment as they lack the required work experience.

“These challenges are further compounded as over 30 per cent of young persons have little to no certification,” Watson noted.

Participants heard that with the youth unemployment rate averaging 30 per cent, the ministry was aware of the frustrations they faced finding employment.

“The demand for work experience when you can’t get a job; the disappointment of rejections or no callbacks and the desire to be self-sufficient and contribute meaningfully to your family, we understand all of this,” Watson stated, noting that the Ministry remained committed to supporting their entry into the world of work, helping them gain work experience and facilitating the development of key skills to enhance their employability.

The programme offers participants skills training, career planning and placements which pay a minimum weekly stipend of $150.

Prior to placement, participants are required to undertake mandatory World of Work training over a two-day period.

Topics covered during the training workshop included effective communication, emotional intelligence, teamwork, conflict resolution, anger management, appropriate standards of behaviour and human sexuality, employment relations and safety and health in the workplace.
anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb