26 graduate from MIC's ready-for-work programme

SOME 26 recent secondary school-leavers in the East-West Corridor graduated last Friday from a six-week pilot project to prepare them for the wider world.

The Student Enhancement Empowerment Programme (STEEP) was run by MIC-IT, Macoya, where the graduation was held.

STEEP was created by MIC-IT deputy chairman Keith Toby, who also taught basic conversational Spanish to the pupils.

MIC-IT CEO Anil Ramnarine said the programme aimed to develop youngsters in a professional work environment.

"This is such an amazing programme that shares fun experiences, teaches you about the real world of work, while providing guidance regarding life choices, soft skills, technical vocational skills, business and financial decisions for your future."

Ramnarine hoped STEEP could be made available to all school-leavers.

"You will hear from them how it helped them to build life skills, introduced them to making life choices, networking and even build their confidence to deal with life head-on."

He hoped the programme had laid a strong foundation for the 26 young men and women.

"This invaluable programme would have richly rewarded them to the point where I am sure they will return to MIC-IT to continue their education."

He said any STEEP graduates enrolling in MIC-IT could be natural MIC-IT ambassadors and strong leaders, and hold posts in the MIC-IT Student Guild.

"This programme was created to be a stepping stone for youth and I hope that this can become an annual event.

"So I would like to officially open this graduation ceremony by congratulating you all on a job well done. Welcome to the rest of your life!"

MIC-IT chairman Prof Clement Imbert said STEEP had replaced the MIC-IT's previous STEM (science, maths, engineering and technology) programme.

He reflected on the true meaning of education as a doctor of engineering, also trained in various technical trades.

"A lot of people are chasing certification, but true education and the pursuit of true education is almost what I consider to be a lost pursuit. Involve yourself in true education, not certification."

He said a true education fulfils one's desires and lets him/her stand out.

Chief education officer Peter Smith said technical/vocational subjects were viable areas of study. He said the MIC-IT has aligned with goals of the Government's Vision 2030 policy document. He congratulated the youngsters on "the dawn of a new chapter in your lives."

STEEP graduate Melia Maughn said the programme was initially due to run for five weeks, but the interns had begged for an extra week, which had been granted.

"It surpassed my expectations. I didn't expect this internship to be as meaningful as it was."

STEEP graduate Joshua Marclier declared, "The STEEP programme was phenomenal."

He said after the scheduled training for the world of work, interns had been attached to a department of the MIC-IT.

"I believe it's the best programme MIC-IT has in its existence."

Shomario Hector kept up a lively banter as event MC, while motivational speaker Joshua Hercules shared his journey from humble beginnings to postgraduate study.