Seven Junior Achievers gained new skills and some hands-on experience in the world of business at an international conference held last month in Canada.
From left: Nicholas Juman, Renee Prendergast, Robert Tatum, Karthika Velusamy, Cordell Gutierrez, Racquel Rankin, and Geoffrey Grizzel. Photo: Submitted |
The Cayman Islands delegation, along with 160 students from various international Junior Achievement chapters, travelled to Montreal, Quebec to take part in the 37th annual Canadian Junior Achievement Conference. Held 10-17 August, the annual event is one of North America’s premier international conference for youth, said a JA press release.
For the Cayman Islands Achievers, attendance at CANJAC is a reward for outstanding performance in the high school level programme ‘The Company Programme.’
The seven Achievers who received the all-expense-paid trip and represented JA Cayman Islands included: Karthika Velusamy, Geoffrey Grizzel, Cordell Gutierrez, Nicholas Juman and Robert Tatum from Cayman Brac; and Renee Prendergast and Racquel Rankin from Grand Cayman. Their chaperones were Joanne Diaz-Berry, JA Coordinator, and Charles Pulcine of KPMG.
It was the second time Cordell Gutierrez and Geoffrey Grizzel attended the conference as they represented the Cayman Islands last year at CANJAC. Both students said they enjoyed the experience even more this year, and participants said they came away with a much better understanding of the business world.
Not only were the students impressed with CANJAC 2007, but the 21 staff members working with the students said they are impressed each year with the level of leadership coming from the Cayman Islands delegates.
‘Each year we look forward to welcoming the Cayman Islands to CANJAC. Your delegates are always a strong team and very polite,’ said Jennifer McAndrew, CANJAC coordinator.
CANJAC hosts students from all corners of the globe and the students representing Cayman took advantage of this opportunity to make friends and learn about different cultures while taking part in conference activities. These included team building activities, international guest speakers, networking session, corporate tours, group meetings and discussions, group presentations, a fun time barbecue and an awards banquet.
This year’s theme – The Future is Now – Are you Ready? – provided a sense of focus during the week with emphasis being placed on the influences of marketing, process/production and human resources in business today.
The conference provides hands-on learning opportunity for youth as they further explore the world of business and develop the attitude and skills to support their transition to the world of work.
The conference also offers an opportunity for dialogue and debate and helps the Achievers to develop management, leadership, business and interpersonal skills.
FYI
Junior Achievement is an international non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring young people about business and economics. The Junior Achievement programme in the Cayman Islands was established in 1991 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central. Major financial support is provided by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central, the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce and major business organisations on the island.
For more information on the Junior Achievement programme, contact the Junior Achievement office 949-4306, or email [email protected]
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