GEORGE TOWN – The Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure’s Public Works Department (PWD) has today opened the application portal for the Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme, the premier vocational education and training initiative for Caymanians interested in developing the skills needed for successful career in the construction industry. The registration period is only open once this year, from May 30-June 16.

“The Ministry is committed to help give Caymanians the skills they need to succeed and few programmes in government do that more successfully than our Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme,” said the Honourable Jay Ebanks, Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure. “For the first and only time in 2023, the portal is now open to apply for this highly successful programme and I strongly encourage any interested Caymanians to take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity.”

Since 2014, the PWD Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme has offered technical and employability training to selected Caymanians in 12 programmes, including: carpentry, plumbing, masonry, electrical and air-conditioning. To be eligible, potential apprentices must be Caymanian and between the ages of 16-29. The apprenticeship programme lasts from 1-3 years with each year featuring a new level of training. Apprentices are encouraged to complete at least two years of the programme. PWD provides all necessary supplies – boots, uniforms, safety equipment, tools – to selected apprentices along with a small stipend. 

“The Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme is a pathway to incredible skill development and employment opportunities for dozens of Caymanians ever year,” said Dr. Ande Francis, Centre Manager at the Construction Trades Training Centre. “Given the demand and the cycle of training, there is a limited opportunity to access this programme each year so now is the time to get an application in and get started on the path toward career development.”

In January 2023, the Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme graduated 30 apprentices across all three levels. Currently, 50 Caymanians are participating. The Programme maintains strong partnership with leading construction firms such as: Andro, Dart, The Phoenix Group, Arch & Godfrey, and McAlpine. These partnerships help maintain the quality of the training programme, provide hands-on experience through work for these companies and create opportunities for post-graduation employment.

“I was unsure about applying for the Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme because it seemed like a big commitment in a challenging field,” said Demiya Ramoon, a 2023 Level 3 graduate of the programme. “However, submitting my application was the best decision I ever made as it helped me to earn valuable technical skills, learn how to work well in construction roles and opened the door for me to a good job after I completed the programme.”

For more information, please visit https://www.gov.ky/pwd/. Interested Caymanians can apply for the programme by visiting https://countingdownto.com/countdown-pages/9NXhWjHC. The application period will close on June 16 and the programme commences for accepted applicants in September.