ORG/C.R. Walker Apprenticeship Program works with Private Sector Partners to gets students Work-ready

Preparing students for bright futures extends beyond the classroom. That’s the philosophy of The Organization for Responsible Governance, C.R. Walker, and their partners. The not-for-profit and the high school have teamed up to launch an apprenticeship program, dedicated to enhancing job readiness and improving future prospects for underperforming or non-traditional learners. Recently, students of the program, which launched in the fall term of 2019, got their first on site experience, visiting Bon Vivants Café and Young’s Fine Wines to learn about careers in service, food & beverage, marketing and wholesale distribution.

Students from the program heard from Bon Vivants Co-Owner and Young’s VP Kyle Jones; Marketing Manager, Joanne Robertson, and General Manager Stefon Lockhart about their own career journeys, transferable skills for success, the importance of attitude, and nailing the job interview. Tiffany A. Bain, ORG’s Education Consultant and Interim Engagement Coordinator, stated that this was the first of what she hopes is many educational outings for the program participants.

“The students were engaged and had an awesome time, we can’t thank our hosts Bon Vivants and Young’s Fine Wines, nor our partners at Bahamas Experience Tours, who provided transportation, enough! Private sector partnership in education and youth development is a crucial link in developing brighter future for young Bahamians,” she said.

“Exposure to professional and workplace environments is key to instilling important work skills for students and our aim is to not only have additional workplace visits but to secure short-term work placement for each of the program’s participants. We would love to have additional private sector partners and encourage businesses interested to step forward and contact ORG.”

The ORG Apprenticeship Program was designed to increase educational opportunities and job-readiness through interventions designed to facilitate socioemotional learning, improve self-efficacy, introduce skill development, and ultimately empower marginalized youth. The program creates alternative pathways for education and employment in youth underserved by the traditional education system. To date, 13 students are enrolled in the program. Businesses interested in mentoring, apprenticing or hosting a workplace excursion should contact ORG at info@orgbahamas.com.

Young’s Fine Wine General Manager Stefon Lockhart speaks to participants of the ORG Apprenticeship Program about his own career journey, how to get back up after you fail, and why learning is a lifelong journey.

ORG’s Tiffany A. Bain and participants of the ORG Apprenticeship Program meet the iconic Young’s Fine Wines Vintage Car after learning about branding from company VP Kyle Jones and Marketing Manager Joanne Robertson.