The Exceptional Hospitality Executive Provisioner (EHEP)

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This is a new and exciting course which is being offered exclusively by the GARD Center through the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute.  This course though previously offered by ABHTI has never made it into the full course offerings by the institute.
GARC Center seeing the potential for entrepreneurial opportunities is offering this course to twenty young ladies between the ages of 16 to 35 to think out side the box and “Go Against the Grain”.  These ladies, will cover areas such as:

  • Housekeeping
  • Basic Cookery – intro to theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the preparation of soups, vegetable cookery, fish and seafood, etc. and expose students to sound personal hygiene practice, kitchen safety and accident prevention.
  • Food & Beverage Service – intro to techniques in service of beverages and wines and restaurant organization for food service and the basic tenets of food service.
  • Quality Customer Care – strategies and techniques designed to maintain and exceed customer expectations and enhance customer value and build customer loyalty.
  • Human Relation (Workplace behaviour, business communication and interviewing techniques) – develop interpersonal skills, understanding individual differences, problem solving and decision making.

The ladies trained in EHEP will assist with a variety of life management tasks, including running errands, arranging activities, paying bills, shopping (meal planning, remembering special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries and purchasing gifts) and housekeeping (making beds, regular house cleaning, laundry, etc.).  At the end of the course, the trainees have the option of working within the tourism industry or starting a cooperative and marketing themselves as a business.
 

Success Story

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The Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program II (CYEP) sponsored by the International Youth Foundation and funded by the United States Agency for Internal Development (USAID) has recently been completed and with a number of success stories.
Here is what one of the graduates had to say:
ODYSSER THOMAS
Odysser Thomas receiving her certificate-May2013In speaking to Odysser Thomas, graduate of the Office Administration class of 2013, she shared with me her excitement of managing a supermarket single-handedly after her training and Internship in the CYEP programme.  (See picture:  Odysser Thomas, R, receiving her certificate).
Odysser experienced a period in her life without job to sustain and meet her needs.  She was dependent on others for survival.  She blamed her situation on her lack of education and qualification.  Her goal in life is to have her own home but in order to do so she must be able to work and save.  When she heard of the training programme at the GARD Center she decided to apply to gain some qualification and to be independent.  The training was a challenge in itself since she was no good at spelling and was embarrassed to let others see her failure.  She remembers the first spelling test, a zero that caught the attention of her English Teacher, who promptly took Ms. Thomas under her wings.
“The training in Sales, Marketing and Customer service really helped during my Internship, which allowed the proprietor to place me in charge of his business and left me to manage it for two months.”  I now have a full time job as Manager of the business.
“I am so pleased with the training and the support I received.  I see the improvement in my life and my attitude. Thank you CYEP and GARD Center.”

New Job Placement Officer

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Job Placement pic-6Dec13Mrs. June Jackson has officially joined the staff at the GARD Center in the capacity of Job Placement Officer/Mentoring Coordinator.  Mrs Jackson was originally hired at the GARD Center as an Office Administration and Math & English Tutor.
The Board and Management of the GARD Center wish to welcome her to the GARD Center family.

Internships / Job Placements

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During November and December 2013, the Job Placement Officer has successfully secured Internships for 13 out of the 14 female participants who attended the IT course; 12 out of the 14 women who completed the Business Enterprise course, and for all 17 participants who recently completed the Agricultural training course.
In addition to the Internships, Job Placements have been secured for 17 students who participated in the above mentioned courses.
The internship /job placement interviews with employers have been a welcoming experience, especially when  they have good reviews of the students willingness to learn and more so that they are moldable.  There are a few students who will be kept on as temporary employees and a few who will be made permanent over a period of time.
Most students showed great pride in their overall appearance and went beyond the call of duties assigned to them on the job. This was very well received by the employers and the GARD Center.

EU Project – Monitoring Visit

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Mr. Koen Rossel-Cambier, EU representative, visited the GARD Center on Wednesday, 13 November 2013.  He brought with him a local representative from the office of the NAO – Mrs. Juray Roberts.
They were introduced to the members of staff and tutors and both were given a tour of the facilities.  They also viewed first-hand a Weaving and Textile class which was in session.
–    Fruitful discussions included:
o   Project progress with emphasis on the results and their indicators as in the logical framework.
o   Project visibility and the visibility plan.
o   Preparation of the upcoming new disbursement request, with the accountant.

Mr. Rossel-Cambier was pleased to hear that the GARD Center is being considered to be an accredited CVQ Center.
The meeting ended with Mr. Rossel-Cambier taking some of GARD Center pamphlets and the promotional video and Mrs. Roberts stating their pleasure in meeting with the staff at the GARD Center.

Business Development Unit – Refreshed!

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The Business Development Unit, very recently received a ‘face-lift’ with a colourful new wall and lovely artwork donated by a Friend of The Center.  Pictured below is the Business Development Officer, Mr. Johan Oliver, center, with Ms. Brenda Carrott, Public Relations Consultant, left, and Mr. Whitfield Joshua Jr., Youth Entrepreneur, who is receiving business advisory services from the Unit.
Painted BDU office-11Nov13

Gender Sensitisation Workshop

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The GARD Center recently trained four (4) persons on Gender Sensitisation. This training was held on 5th November 2013, at the Youth Affairs office.
Trained were two tutors from the evening Business Enterprise Course and two Mentors who will be mentoring the young entrepreneurs who graduated from the Business Enterprise training, a month ago.
Ms. Cleon Athill, who is the Director of Youth Affairs ably facilitated this training session.

Additional Recognition for the GARD Center

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On Friday, 1 November 2013, during the 32nd Independence Ceremony of the Nation of Antigua and Barbuda, the Executive Director of the GARD Center, Mrs. Roberta Williams received the Grand Officer of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit (GOM).  This national award was for her work over the last twenty-four (24) years with youth and community development through the GARD Center.
Mrs. Williams was very humbled and became emotional as the Governor General, Dame Louise Lake-Tack,Roberta shakes GG's hand shook her hand in front of the hundreds of folks gathered at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds to view the proceedings.
Roberta, later emailed her staff to officially inform them of her award and wrote, “This award is for all of us, for all those who over the years have contributed to the growth of our Center and to all of you who are incredible. I cannot say thank you enough…  Thank you all again for your passion and support. May God bless you all and to Him all honor and glory.”
The staff of the GARD Center wish to congratulate the Executive Director on receiving this prestigious award, of which she is truly deserving.Roberta is embraced by GG-1Nov13