Ms. Christina Stoney – Peace Corp Volunteer
Charlestown, Nevis
May 21, 2008
The Youth Division in the Department of Social Development on Nevis, announced that registration had began for its sixth annual Summer Job Attachment Programme 2008 and urged secondary school students from the 4th to 6th forms to apply.
Ms. Christina Stoney, Youth Officer and Peace Corps Volunteer who heads the programme, told the Department of Information on May 16, 2008, that there were a restricted number of spaces available and students should apply early. Application forms must be filled at the Departments office on Government Road.
“We will take up to 60 entrants this year. It’s the sixth year of the programme and applications can be picked up here at the Department of Social Services, Government Road. We will only consider the first 60 applicants so come on in and apply early.
“It provides pre job training provided in collaboration with Helping Our People Excel Organization (HOPE) Nevis this year, work experience and a stipend of $200 a week, 100 of which is provided by the Department of Social Services and 100 of which will be provided by the employer,” she said.
The Programme which was designed for an eight week period will run for six weeks this year from July to August to accommodate a shorter summer. Under the programme, students with limited or no employment experience are introduced to a variety of career opportunities where they develop practical skills and professional ethics and learn more about seeking and obtaining work.
Ms. Stoney urged business places to contact the Department if they were available for an entrant this year. She explained that the programme offered benefits to both the students and the employers.
“At the end of the six week period, the employers are under no obligation to hire the students full time but they may do so at their own discretion if it works out for both parties. So at the end of six weeks the students would be able to walk away with $1,200 and a valuable six weeks of training; [stayed] busy over the summer and [learnt] something about themselves, about Nevis and about the world of work.
“Employers get the opportunity to give back to their community and help the participants to become good working adults in the future “¦We are looking for employers from all work sectors. The benefits to you would be a six week full-time worker over the summer and 50 percent of their [the participants] stipend will be paid by the government,” she said.