[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s easy getting time off your day job for self and career improvement. Twelve young Saint Lucians who work in the tourism industry were recently granted this privilege after being accepted into the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association’s Young Leaders Development Programme. During an orientation ceremony on Friday May 25, chairperson Marsha King gave the details: “Twelve candidates have been selected from our affiliated companies to undergo a two-year programme that will see them actively involved in courses that will help them develop leadership skills and attitudes.” The programme promises that its twelve participants will come away with competences favouring those of the industry’s highest ranking professionals.
King revealed that interest in the programme demonstrated by participants far exceeded the expectations of organisers. While they had planned for just 10 candidates, they finally settled for 12. “Many of our young people aspire to do more,” she said. “You look at them and can see they have the talent; they have the potential. A programme like this fosters and enables these individuals to actually reach their full potential. It is also associated with colleges like Monroe, UWI and quite a diverse group of vendors who will contribute significantly to ensure that objectives are achieved.”
About his personal objectives, Wendell George, a candidate of the Young Leaders Development Programme, said: “There is a lot that I have learned in my eight years in the hospitality industry but there is so much more. I believe I am now in the right place at the right time. There are a lot of changes happening and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Bright and promising futures for young people was the running theme at Friday’s orientation gathering, as each candidate, while offering individual introductions, declared their ultimate career and life goals to all in attendence.
Said George of his vision: “I am currently also an entrepreneur, managing a small business that rents portable swimming pools. I will be able one day to help develop a successful business, create employment and provide opportunities similar to those I was given.” All participants in the programme are under 35 years old.
The Young Leaders Development programme is slated to begin on June 13.
