150 score Min of Youth summer jobs in GB

150 score Min of Youth summer jobs in GB
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture held Orientation for 150 students participating in the summer job programme on Thursday, June 28. The students heard from the Minister responsible Michael Pintard, who encouraged them to make the best of the opportunity afforded them. (BIS Photos/Lisa Davis)

One hundred and fifty young people were told to take advantage of their job placement and learn something from the opportunity on Thursday, June 28, by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard.

Pintard addressed the youth job placement orientation at Foster B. Pestaina Centre, Christ the King Anglican Church.  Of the 400 applications received, 150 were placed and will have jobs from July 2 – 27.

The minister told the young people they were at a very critical point in their lives, and he gave them some advice on the experiences they will have, pointing out that working in areas that they may not have preferred will nevertheless expose them to additional options.

Sharing some of his experiences, the minister went on to share a few jobs he has held in the course of his career.

“Those varied experiences prepared me for what I’m doing now,” Pintard said.

“It is important in a tough economy in The Bahamas and even internationally, to have options. When goals or dreams do not work out the way one intended, he said, it is important to have options. It is also useful to have varied skills as it is easier to make the transition into another area. “This will help to sustain you until you can do the thing that is your passion.”

There are many persons, he said who have been working in various vocations, forced to seek other options as a result of economic downturn.  Those who were flexible enough made the transition and in some cases, found it more rewarding than what they left.

“So, as you go through this programme and you find yourself, in some cases, working in the area that’s not your primary choice, I’m asking you to give consideration to the experience it provides – and it provides you with options — to be exposed to different things, to be flexible enough to make the adjustment because life will require of you, in the not-too-distant-future, to be incredibly flexible,” he said.

The programme will also teach you some lessons according to Pintard who said they ought not to walk away from any experience without asking themselves what is the lesson.  Every job opportunity will give a lesson.

When on the job, they will notice that adjustments are needed, but urged them to not point out what is wrong and try to be a part of the solution.

“It’s not just about us providing an opportunity for you. Far from it.  It’s about us being able to get from you the gifts and talents that God has given you so that you can help improve this island and this country,” he said as he encouraged the young people that they are the hope the country needs.

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This article was written by ROBYN ADDERLEY, Bahamas Information Services.