The Government’s participation aligns with the Skills 4 Life campaign to promote the importance of lifelong learning for Caymanians in both the civil service and the private sector. Skills 4 Life seeks to raise awareness of potential careers in various industries and the demand within those fields; show users how to access those careers and the organisations that can help them, and engage and empower Caymanians by connecting them with available resources. These goals are closely aligned with that of the Chamber Expo which aims to educate high school students nearing graduation on a variety of career and educational opportunities available to them.

Representatives from Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman (WORC), the Ministry of Education, UCCI, Health Services Authority and the Department of Tourism will be on hand to meet with students who are considering further education options or entering the workforce soon and talk to them about the different paths that are open to them not only in continuing education but in sectors such as healthcare and tourism.

“This event has become a fixture on the calendars of private and public sector employers, students, career guidance counsellors, human resource managers and college recruiters alike, which is a testament to the importance that has been rightfully placed on equipping Caymanians with comprehensive information about further education, training and career opportunities,” said Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Minister for Education. “As we continue to recover from the effects of the global pandemic, this is an opportune time for Caymanians to begin to evaluate their situations as it relates to education and employment and determine what they need to do in order to realise their full potential and advance themselves, whether academically or professionally. By bringing both the public and private sectors together in a forum such as this, the Chamber Careers, Education & Training Expo will provide some of the resources necessary to help them do just that.”

WORC will be promoting its various programmes, specifically Passport2Success and Ready2Work. Passport2Success is a government-funded, full-time 12-week programme that helps young Caymanians improve their skills and succeed in the workplace. Ready2Work is a pathway to employment initiative that supports employers as they make best efforts to employ Caymanians and supports unemployed Caymanians as they seek to access employment. WORC will also be touting its internships and apprenticeships programmes and Employment Services Officers will be assisting with Jobs Cayman registration.

The application period for local Government scholarships opened on 1 March and officials from the Ministry of Education’s Scholarship Secretariat will be at the Expo to talk to attendees about the scholarships that are available to both Caymanian students and adult learners. Funding is provided for A level, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, and CAPE programmes, local associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UCCI and ICCI, maritime studies and the Truman Bodden Law School.

Each year the Tourism Education, Awareness, and Scholarships team exhibits at the Chamber Careers Expo as part of their efforts to raise awareness of the career opportunities in tourism. Members of the team engage with students and try to help them see the depth and breadth of the tourism industry in Cayman and how they can take advantage of tourism education initiatives such as the School of Hospitality Studies as well as the Ministry of Tourism Scholarship.

“As Cayman prepares to reopen its borders to tourists, I believe that there is a unique opportunity for Caymanians to join the industry and help us rebuild this incredible tourism product that we have to offer,” said Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, Minister for Tourism. “Many tourism operators had to retool their business models due to the COVID-19 pandemic but once we open our shores the interest in and demand for our destination will be great and we will not only need our veterans in the industry but also young, enthusiastic Caymanians and aspiring entrepreneurs to help us welcome back our visitors with memorable attractions and services. Events such as the Chamber Expo give our Department of Tourism a platform to showcase the importance of the tourism industry and the ways Caymanians can train, retrain or academically prepare themselves to be a part of this space.”

Throughout the day, students from both Government and private high schools will come through the Expo.