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Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian, left, congratulates Shellis Stanisclaus, a graduate of the Sport Ministry’s Dream Chasers apprenticeship and mentorship project, during its graduation at the Hilton Trinidad, Port of Spain on August 28. – Photo by Gabriel Williams
MINISTER in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian stressed young people are responsible for shaping the future of TT and called on them to bring their ideas, creativity and energy saying they are the change-makers of tomorrow.
Morris-Julian addressed graduates at the 2024 Dream-Chasers Apprenticeship and Mentorship Project (D-CAMP) ceremony at the Hilton Conference Centre on August 28.
She said, “You are representing the aspirations, the hard work and more importantly, the vision of this particular ministry.
“You have already proven you have what it takes to succeed. You are here. You made it. You did not quit.
“Carry with you the lessons you learnt and the friendships you made. The spirit of determination has brought you this far and you have to prove, not just to us, but to others, that age is no barrier to the ability to achieve.”
Eighty-nine participants, decked in black and white, smiled brightly as they walked across the stage to collect their certificates from the eight-week JAVA (July-August vacation) youth development programme.
Since the programme’s inception in 2022, the Ministry of Sport and Community Development has developed this initiative to equip secondary-school and tertiary-level graduates between 17 and 28 with the skills and training to take on their futures in the professional world.
D-CAMP centres were held at the Mt Hope/Mt Lambert Community Centre, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, and the Scarborough Public Library, Tobago.
Participants were taught entrepreneurial and communication skills, dining and etiquette, financial literacy, professional attire, public-speaking, resumé-writing and other life-skill training.
Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian, left, congratulates Sabriya Daniel, a graduate of the Sport Ministry’s Dream Chasers apprenticeship and mentorship project, during its graduation at the Hilton Trinidad, Port of Spain on August 28. – Photo by Gabriel Williams
Over a four-week period, there was an apprenticeship component during which the participants gained hands-on experience in the world of work. Some were placed in Caribbean Airlines, the ministries of Sport, Digital Transformation, Education and other state agencies, and private organisations.
D-CAMP mentor and mindset coach Letina Mata of True Growth Caribbean TT said this programme is impactful.
“The significance is they (mentors) are positioning young people to be the leaders of the future. It is a programme that is allowing the youth to be empowered so they can make empowered decisions.
” I love the innovation and the initiative that was taken. I definitely love the holistic approach that was taken for this type of programme. That is what separates this type of programme from others.”
For some participants, Breakfast and Conversationwas the highlight. In this series, they were able to converse with industry leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives about the fields they aspire to be immersed in.
One of the graduates, Josiah Marshall, told Newsday one of his pivotal moments wastalking with a graphic designer, a career he aspires to.
“He spoke about an art block. Sometimes, you would go for months without doing any designs and he said you need to get back out and put yourself out there,whether it’s speaking to companies or messaging. Stay consistent with it. He inspired me because he described himself as a rebel and I saw myself in him.”
Marshall, 18, advised prospective participants who want to take part in D-CAMP to “be okay with the fact that you have to step outside of your comfort zone. Never stay comfortablebecause that will keep you in one position. You will never level up or succeed. Always be open-minded and be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Johanna Henry, an 18-year-old Tobagonian D-CAMP graduate said the entrepreneurial lectures resonated with her. An aspiring doctor, shebelieves this will help her build her medical practice in the future.
“In sixth formI studied entrepreneurship and at first the sessions we had with the various facilitators really zeroed in on entrepreneurship and I was wondering why. After asking them,they said entrepreneurship is what they want for the future. They think a lot of people are just looking for work instead of creating jobs for themselves.
“This really resonated with me. Although I am going to be a doctor, I still realisedthe importance of it. I am looking into entrepreneurship and one day I’m hoping to open my own practice.”
(Reporting by Kristen-Le Chelle Winchester)
