[dropcap]D[/dropcap]uring my interview with Candy Fraser this quote, attributed to Military Scientist, Political Commentator and Author, Ayesha A. Siddiqi, came to mind: “Be the person you needed when you were younger.” You see, Miss Fraser is not only on a quest to materialize her own success but providing others with the opportunities she wishes were available to her as a young girl has also become one of her top priorities.
Host of the television show “Hidden Gems” and owner of Star Professional Temp & Employment Agency, Candy spearheaded the Lecture, Educate, Articulate & Development (L.E.A.D.) programme—an initiative aimed at “enabling persons for life and especially the work force”. The programme is open to anyone between the ages of 14 to 60 years old, particularly members of lower income families, who wish to refine their professional skills. Courses included in the programme are scheduled to begin next month.
Having grown privy to her ambitious pursuits I felt compelled to learn more about Candy Fraser and what drives her passion.
TELL US WHAT YOU DO.
Candy: I own my own business, Star Professional Temp & Employment Agency, which is a staffing and recruiting company and we also do a bit of marketing.
About two and a half years ago I discovered that my passion is really to help others, having met a lot of persons who are unemployed or have not finished school. I wanted to see how far I could go with providing help, so I created L.E.A.D.
HOW DID YOU GET THE BALL ROLLING WITH L.E.A.D?
Candy: I started talking to a number of qualified tutors. I started speaking to them early last year about how I could develop a programme and get them on board to teach that programme.
Eventually, around June of last year, I started working on L.E.A.D. There were a lot of obstacles, like financing and funding, but I continued to pull it together, and the first programme that L.E.A.D. launched was customer service. I know that is the number one thing in dealing with persons. And in January I actually put together a video showcasing what L.E.A.D, is about.
WAS IT YOUR DECISION TO FOCUS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE?
Candy: For the first programme, yes, because during interviews or pre-interviews with my clients I noticed that there was a lot lacking in even interview skills. So customer service will not only target how we deal with a customer but everything that surrounds that: basic computer skills, conflict resolution etc. You know, different areas of that subject.
AT TIMES, VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OUR PERSONAL LIVES MAKE US SEE THE VALUE IN CERTAIN INITIATIVES. WAS THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE?
Candy: Yes. Growing up I came from a single-parent house-hold and I watched my mom have her personal struggles. She never really projected it on us but it did affect us in general because we all can feel our parents’ energy. I wish that there was an outlet that I could have grasped on to, to develop skills for life because I know my mom, being a single parent, it was not easy [for her] to always be able to counsel each child. So, I wish that there was an after-school programme or programmes that would help me or guide me as well.
HAS THE L.E.A.D. BEEN SPONSORED BY ANYONE?
Candy: Right now, I’m working with two companies which I wouldn’t name at the moment but they’ve already said that they are willing to jump on board to sponsor a number of persons because we’re targeting low-income families, in particular, young teens to middle-aged persons who may have not been able to complete school. So sponsorship would be based on if you can afford it.
WHAT HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN FROM THESE TARGETED, POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS?
Candy: It has been excellent but the cost of the programme is what affects most persons so I would love for other institutions to jump on board to sponsor participants, just to give them that stepping stone or that hand to guide them in the direction that they want. It would be beneficial for them in their future!
As Candy prepares for the execution of the L.E.A.D. programme, she also recently added another notch to her belt. She was signed by SLHTA CEO, Mr Noorani Azeez, as a contributor to the SLHTA Young Leadership Development Initiative which “is designed to primarily strengthen the skills of existing employees and develop the talents of youth to function competently as future middle managers in Tourism and other sectors”.
The programme is the first of its kind in the region. While this is a story of firsts, hopefully Fraser’s generosity and determination perseveres and allows her to make continuous contributions.
L.E.A.D. runs for three weeks, three times a week and will also be facilitated by Mustaphar Felician and Marketing Business Owner, Isiah Lorde.
