Global Community Shapers teach youths about workplace etiquette

From left, Kanisha Bostock and Maya Blondell, get some dining etiquette advice from former Miss World Giselle Laronde-West, at the Caricom Youth Ambassador Corps – Trinidad, and the Global Shapers Port of Spain Hub, annual event, at Brix Hotel, Cascade on August 23. - Angelo Marcelle

THE Global Shapers Community's Port of Spain hub, in collaboration with the Caricom Youth Ambassador corps, held its second edition of Bridging the Gap: From Classroom to Career. It is a programme that focuses on equipping young people with vital life skills.

The event was held at the Brix Hotel in St Ann's on August 23 from 10am-2.30pm.

On its website, Global Shapers Community says it is a network of "inspiring young people under the age of 30 working together to address local, regional and global challenges." The Port of Spain hub was created in 2014.

Over two dozen graduates from different secondary schools in north Trinidad were chosen to participate in the Bridging The Gap programme.

It included sessions on understanding the world of work and office etiquette, as well as dining etiquette and mentorship.

Project lead Zion Benjamin said TT is plagued with crime and criminality, as well as cries for positivity, and so he hopes the programme can make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

Speaking to Newsday at the event, he said, "(The crime situation) is sad because we need an all-hands-on-deck approach towards building the future of our nation. And if we keep attacking each other, we're not going to have the manpower or the womanpower to really make that impact and change that we need to see. And then we see how many young persons have been, unfortunately, killed – footballers and people with different talents...It's really sad."

He said the team also hopes to use feedback from the participants on what they think can be done to improve TT.

"Last year, we had resume writing, career mapping, conflict resolution...This year, we focused heavily on mentorship and preparing them to take a step further (in life)."

He also praised the various corporate sponsors, including bmobile, Massy, Unit Trust, and Sasha Cosmetics.

"It feels great to give back in this way because we often hear how young people say, 'Well, we don't know what to do,' or, 'We don't know how to get into a different career after school is done.' So we really hope that this project is impactful to them, and that's what it's all about."

He added, "We know how they say, you know, prestige, schools always get everything. So we really try to go out there, go to those schools which may not always have that support, and really, you know, bring this project to them to give them the best support possible."

Cindy Wilson, an advocacy officer at the Human Resource Management Association of TT, did the session on behaviour in the workplace. She challenged the participants to outline how they would react to different, potentially displeasing, scenarios in an office setting.

She explained the concept of office politics and stressed on maintaining professionalism at all time as reactions play a part in shaping one's personal brand.

This, she said, applies even outside the workplace when it comes to personal and professional development.

"Treat everyone with respect – whether it's the CEO, the security or the cleaner."

She said very often, she asks those same people how interviewees may have interacted with them ahead of meeting her.

"Because some people may come for an interview and treat me with the most respect, but don't say good day to the security or they're rude to the receptionist. I look at how you treat people, period," she explained.

Participants eagerly took notes throughout her hour-long presentation.

Some of the children got vouchers from J&K signature styles to assist them in getting outfits for work as they embark on their job hunt.