‘The course was certainly enlightening in terms of assessing the impact of vocational training on social exclusion, but even more importantly, I feel it was a wakeup call for the Cayman Islands in relation to handling those who are socially excluded. We must assess what must be done locally to address their needs.’
This forceful comment from the Department of Employment Relation’s Programme Development Coordinator Mrs. Jean Solomon marked her return from a recent five-day study visit to the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training in Burgos, Spain.
In Burgos, courtesy of a British Council and European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training award, Mrs. Solomon joined with nine other experts from the European Union to exchange information and gain insight regarding socio-labour integration programmes that are being developed in that city, states a press release.
‘It was inspiring,’ said Mrs. Solomon. ‘We focused on combating the social exclusion of so many borderline groups, including the homeless, disabled, drug addicts and the economically and educationally disadvantaged. Participants came from Holland, Scandinavia, Germany, Finland, the UK and France, and it was an excellent chance to share our experiences.’
Mrs. Solomon said the group had ample opportunity to observe examples of vocational training. A visit to the renowned Lesmes Foundation also featured training processes and entry procedures into employment programmes and initiatives that were geared to ‘groups at risk of social exclusion.’
She explained that the need for, and impact of, such programmes was constantly emphasised and that her presentation describing Cayman’s STARSS initiative, Project Prepare, The Young Parents programme, Eagle House and the prisons’ Coaching for Success initiative was well received and the initiatives were highly applauded.
‘But,’ she added, ‘the lack of a vocational facility in the Islands was also perceived as a serious deficiency, because facilitators and participants felt that without such a centre, Cayman is ‘failing to adequately address our skills-based needs.” The group stressed that vocational training must correspond with local labour market needs and that such training must be consciously aimed at those who find it difficult to find employment and who are threatened by social exclusion.
However, added to those kudos and criticisms came an unexpected benefit: Mrs. Solomon seized an opportunity to ‘sell’ Cayman. During an official welcome reception, the media besieged her with demands for information on the Islands and the interviews were widely featured in both the electronic and print media. The outcome suggests that Cayman will now be added to the Spanish vacation map; Director of the State Public Employment Service in Burgos, Fernando Mostaza Fernández has already booked Grand Cayman as his family’s holiday destination next March and other course participants are currently making plans to do likewise.
‘Everyone was so interested in the Cayman Islands,’ said Mrs. Solomon. ‘Senor Fernández was particularly delighted to receive the Cayman Coat of Arms as a gift and I do thank Mrs. Christine Wright in the Chief Secretary’s Office for organizing that. I’m equally grateful to Mr. Hamaty for donating rum cakes, and to the Department of Tourism for some great souvenirs. I also have to voice my appreciation to the directors and staff of my own department who supported me so well in preparing for my visit. Everything combined to make such a great impression, and was quite in keeping with my description of Caymanians as such spontaneous, giving and friendly people.’
Mrs. Solomon said that while the intensive course was tiring, she has still returned to Cayman feeling energized. ‘I am more convinced than ever before that things can be accomplished with sufficient hard work. I am determined to fulfil my lifelong goal of changing the destinies of so many young people in our society, of bringing them hope rather than the threat of exclusion. The things I gained in Spain will remain with me for life. I’ll certainly keep on planning, developing and coordinating programmes to provide skills and support to our challenged youth, but now I’m widening my horizons-I’m aiming for that much-needed vocational facility too. It will be so much more than a building. It will symbolize the goal that our presently at risk groups must no longer stand on the periphery of our society, but must instead receive recognition as viable members of our communities,’ she concluded.
Related Videos
