From the Chamber of Commerce.....It was announced that the ACES Apprenticeship Program will be officially launched a week from today on May 21, 2009. There will be full page ads in the San Pedro Sun and the Ambergris Today newspapers.
The Apprenticeship Program benefits San Pedro youths interested in getting on-the-job training. It is a major concern that the program will be flooded with response due to the high unemployment rate and with school getting out soon for the summer.
The program needs more businesses to participate by offering apprentice opportunities. One participant, Victoria House, feels it is their duty to take at least one apprentice. The program helps to teach good work habits and helps young people, new to the job market, learn how to be good employees.
Businesses can benefit from having an apprentice, also. It allows training a new employee at a reasonable cost with the option to hire full time at the end of the 12 week program. There is also a mentor for the apprentice to assist with any problems during the apprenticeship.
Mentors are also needed, especially if there are more participants in the program. Anyone can be a mentor. All it takes is a little bit of your time.
Thanks to all who helped get the program off the ground, especially, Steve Spiro, Jules Escalante and Marilyn Marx.
Please go the ACES website to get more information on the program and/or mentoring,
http://www.aces-belize.org