Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – Eleven single mothers recently graduated from Passport2Success armed with skills and confidence needed in order to enter the workforce. The ceremony was a culmination of 16 weeks of classes, internships, site visits, community service, guest speakers and parenting workshops hosted by The Wellness Centre in partnership with the National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA).

This is the 19th Passport2Success cohort since the initiative was introduced to assist school leavers and unemployed young people with gaining practical skills, work experience and finding employment. To date 361 people have gone through the programme. Eight of the graduates from this most recent group have obtained jobs. Three are still seeking employment and working with NWDA’s Ready2WorkKY to secure full time employment, and five of the women indicated that they are interested in pursuing further education.

Minister for Education, Employment & Gender Affairs, Hon. Tara Rivers was on hand to present the women with their certificates, and congratulated them for staying the course even when it was difficult. She challenged the group to dare to be different in their performance, in their continued pursuit of their careers and in not settling for mediocrity.

“Today is only a start toward what should be a path of lifelong learning and development. I urge you to keep gaining skills that will help you climb the employment ladder of success. Be proactive and utilise any on-the-job training, no matter how menial, to propel yourself forward,” said Minister Rivers. “Never let the difficulties you have faced in your life hold you back or cripple you because you are strong women. Always focus on moving forward, not only for yourselves but for your children who are depending on you to set the example that they need.”

Some of the graduates shared emotional reflections on their time in the programme and thanked their facilitators Shannon Seymour, Khadija Chisholm and Anne-Marie Gray for their support throughout the process.

“When I first came to Passport2Success I was a very angry, outspoken and impatient person; I never asked for help or took time to listen,” said Sheneak Neil who is currently seeking employment and interested in pursuing an Associate’s degree in Business Administration at UCCI. “I thank Passport2Success for changing me and helping me to be the best woman I can be. Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given this opportunity. I would recommend this programme to anyone. It changed my life.”

Companies that participated in the programme were Fosters Food Fair, Hurley’s, Burger King, Popeyes, CUC, Department of Children Family Services, Silver Thatch Pensions (Saxon), Bodden Funeral Services, Walkers, Cayman Airways, Cayman Islands Airport Authority, Westin Resort, O+Ad Architects, Stepping Stones and Kirk Motors.

Sponsor Webster’s Tours provided transportation for the group and Butterfield gave them bank accounts in which to deposit their weekly stipends.

The 20th cohort begins in May. For more information about Passport2Success log on to www.passport2success.ky or contact the NWDA at 945-3114.

Caption: Passport2Success graduates with Dianne Connolly, NWDA Manager, Training and Development, fifth right, and Minister Rivers, sixth right.