The University College of the Cayman Islands is seeking 50 Caymanians to participate in a free year-long training programme in tourism, construction, solar energy or information communications technology (ICT), culminating in an internship with a local employer.
The programme is being funded via a 432,000 euro grant from the European Union’s RESEMBID Programme.
Cleveland Julien, who is UCCI’s project officer for the local training programme, said RESEMBID recognised the need, particularly in overseas territories, to build up capacities in critical sustainable industries.
Applicants must be Caymanian, between 18-45 years old, unemployed or underemployed, and registered with WORC’s JobsCayman portal.
Julien strongly encouraged people in the upper age range to participate along with younger people, including those who may have some experience in the field already or simply have an interest in the area.
In addition to the training, the programme includes job placements in the form of internships that will last 3 months or more.
The training begins in June and the internships in early 2023.
“The real challenge that we see is really ensuring that our participants won’t go and just register but are able to actually stay in the programme throughout the entire duration,” he said.
Julien said initial support for the programme from the private sector has been “overwhelming”.
“We have to build relationships with businesses and with government to ensure that we are listening to what their needs are and therefore crafting this training so they can fit the actual jobs that we now have available or in times to come, so we can match up our students with those opportunities,” Julien said.
For example, he highlighted that the training in solar photovoltaic technology and systems will be provided by local business GreenTech Solar. Julien said they have had “rich conversations” with local hoteliers and restaurateurs who are welcome being provided with well-trained Caymanian workers.
“As you would expect, any time you can have a Caymanian fitting a role, particularly when it comes to industries like tourism, I think it’s something everyone has an interest in,” Julien said.
Along with student applicants and business partnerships, Julien is also seeking support from experienced individuals in the fields of work to volunteer to become mentors to support students as they go through the programme.
To get more information, to apply or to volunteer, visit the UCCI RESEMBID programme homepage.
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The following is a press release from UCCI on the RESEMBID programme:
50 Caymanians sought by UCCI for free training starting this June
The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) is inviting applications from unemployed and underemployed Caymanians for a year-long training programme in sustainable trades. The programme will be free of cost and is made possible thanks to a grant of €432,000 (CI$405,000) from the European Union (EU) RESEMBID Programme.
RESEMBID, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France – the development cooperation agency of the Government of France,supports sustainable human development efforts in 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) – Aruba, Anguilla, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthelemy, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos.
The RESEMBID grant was awarded earlier this year to help the Cayman Islands’ community after the COVID-19 crisis, which resulted in a substantial number of unemployed persons across the islands. The aim of the project funding is to assist fifty Caymanians to move towards gaining sustainable employment and long-term social and economic resilience in four key sectors, sustainable construction, renewable energy, Information Communications Technology (ICT) and tourism. The programme is open for applications now and the criteria is that participants must be Caymanian and between the ages of 18 and 45. In addition to the cost of training being fully covered, the grant will also pay for tools and equipment, making it completely free for students.
Training for the fifty Caymanians will begin on June 27 2022 and will last until January 2023. Thereafter, participants will undergo a 3-month internship with placements relevant to the field of study. The four full-time programmes are free of charge for students and are available in the following four sectors:
Solar Photovoltaic Technology and Systems – 15 Students
NCCER’s Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics curriculum covers the basic concepts of PV systems and their components and how PV systems are sized, designed, and installed. This curriculum adheres to the North American Board of Energy Practitioners’ (NABCEPs) educational standards for technicians.
Information Communications Technology (ICT) – 10 Students
The students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively apply, use and manage computer technology and hardware when solving problems and the role it plays in the sustainable development of the Cayman Islands.
Sustainable Building Technology (Construction) – 15 Students
Students will learn sustainable construction and how it uses renewable and recyclable materials when building new structures and reducing energy consumption and waste. The primary goal is to promote sustainable building in the Cayman Islands, reducing the industry’s environmental impact, and support long-term Tourism objectives.
Tourism/Hospitality Management – 10 students
Students will learn tourism services and management skills that take full account of economic, social, and environmental impacts while addressing visitors’ needs, industry, and Cayman Island communities.
Funding for the UCCI project is coming from the RESEMBID COVID-19 Resilience Response Facility, a €12.7 million injection of additional money to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the 12 OCTs.
Leading the RESEMBID project for the University College of the Cayman Islands, is project officer, Cleveland Julien. “The RESEMBID grant has come at a crucial time for the Cayman Islands, when the four sectors highlighted are starting to make a resurgence and will provide a wealth of opportunities for Caymanians to gain and sustain careers,” Mr. Julien commented. “UCCI is proud to be working with RESEMBID and key business stakeholders to build programmes of study that will truly train the workforce of tomorrow in careers pertinent to the growth of the Cayman Islands’ economy. Importantly, these programmes are a mixture of classroom-based study and hands-on work experience. We aim to give people the skills they need to succeed by learning on the job, supported by classroom theory, which is the preferred method of training for skilled professionals.”
“The programme is open for applications now and we strongly encourage Caymanians to visit www.ucci.edu.ky/resembid to apply. Training will begin in June 2022 and students will be given the whole package free of charge. There has never been a better time to think about realising your dreams,” he said.
The University College of the Cayman Islands is also appealing for volunteers for the project from individuals who wish to act as student mentors, events coordinators, mentorship coordinators and internship coordinators. Volunteers can register their interest at www.ucci.edu.ky/resembid.
RESEMBID Programme Director, Fabian McKinnon said, “It is very important for RESEMBID to serve the people of the OCTs. It is critical that they have the skills and capacity in Cayman to ensure sustainable energy management and resilience.”
UCCI has also partnered with Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC) and the Cayman Islands Chamber of Co4mmerce in identifying appropriate candidates.