Work-study students urged to embrace good work-ethics

(July 18, 2018) – Two hundred and thirty students were today encouraged to practice good work-ethics as they embark on their work-study stint beginning Monday, July 23, 2018.

This was done during an orientation exercise for phase two of the work-study programme organised by the Department of Education Georgetown. The students along with parents congregated in the Queens College auditorium where they were briefed on what is expected of them over the next five weeks.

Work-study Supervisor, Onita Bynoe explained to the students that work-ethics are a set of moral principles used while executing various tasks on the job. She said that it is important to have good work-ethics in order to produce on personal merit.

Ms. Bynoe listed and explained a number of work-ethic principles which the students should embrace as they work at the various organisations they have been attached to. Some of these qualities and principles include reliability, dedication, self-discipline, diligence and good deportment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Julius David, who is also a Work-Study Supervisor gave an overview of the programme and what it aims to achieve.

He said that the aim of the programme seeks to create a smooth transition for fifth form students from school to employment. He said that initially, the programme targeted students from Community High Schools but as time passed, those schools have been phased out and the programme now targets junior and senior secondary schools.

Mr. David said that the experience allows the students to understand how the work environment operates. Noting that some students may prefer to further their studies at the University level, Mr. David said that when they do decide to enter the world of work, they would have had some degree of experience to facilitate a smoother transition into the environment.

Further, Mr. David revealed that some of the organisations that collaborate with the Ministry of Education on this programme have asked for a gender balance as it relates to the students that are sent to them.

Mr. David explained that during the selection process, an effort is made to best align students to organisations based on their career choice and as such, he urged the students to make the best of the opportunity given to them.

Echoing similar sentiments was Ms. Tracy Crawford, a Work-Study Supervisor who said that students should appreciate the purpose of the programme since the number of applicants this year outweighed the number of organisations that have indicated willingness to be a part of the work-study programme.

The 230 students which underwent the orientation exercise will replace their counterparts who would have participated in phase one of the programme. According to District Education Officer, Mr. Sherwyn Blackman some organisations have requested to retain students that participated in phase one of the programme. In total 159 students have been retained.

He said that this happened because those organisations were pleased with the level and quality of work produced by the students. He said in total 389 students will be participating in the work-study exercise.

Additionally, Mr. Blackman said that the programme not only targets public schools but also accommodates students from a number of private schools.

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