As students gathered around, two emergency medical technicians from the BVI Health Services Authority stood over a dummy lying on the floor of the Multi-purpose Sports Complex on Friday.
“If you see someone who was in an accident — they fell out of a tree, they got in a car accident — you don’t want to move them,” one EMT advised, adding, “You don’t want to do that at all.”
Then she and her colleague demonstrated the way that professionals move an accident victim onto a stretcher to minimise the risk of further injury.
The EMTs were among representatives of more than 20 employers that took part in HireBVI’s annual career exposition.
Under the theme “Show Me the Way: A Right Roadmap to Employment,” the event hosted students from schools across the territory.
“Some of the services that we provide are recruitment and job boarding,” said Sarah Maina, HireBVI office administrator. “Instead of the employers coming to us to find staff, they can come here, set up and get to talk to jobseekers.”
Employers
The expo connected students to a wide variety of employers, including the government’s Department of Human Resources, Re/Max Real Estate, Tico Wine and Spirits, and First Bank.
Lavity Stoutt Community College also took part.
“We also involve HLSCC and any other educational organisation that may be interested to talk to the students about their programmes as well,” Ms. Maina explained.
The booths set up throughout the centre offered games and giveaway items such as pens and bottles. Several presenters also gave live demonstrations. HLSCC representatives let students try their hand at basic cake decorating, teaching “piping” techniques used to make swirls, stars and rosettes out of icing.
Nearby, the BVI Red Cross demonstrated how to perform CPR, and the EMTs showed students how they place someone in an ambulance.
Training opportunities
Several employers advertised opportunities for jobseekers with no experience.
The BVI Airports Authority, for instance, provides training for prospective air traffic controllers, said Deidre Samuel, a meteorological and aeronautical information service trainee at the BVIAA.
“You don’t have to come with any experience, because we send you for training regionally in Trinidad at the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority,” she said. “Programme starts in August and ends in May. At the end of that, you come back to do on-the-job training and then begin working.”
Baltimore Security Services was also offering training, which is typically provided every two weeks for the first three months on the job. The training can include instruction in first aid, firearm use, baton use and radio operations, representatives said. Trainees who complete the sessions receive a certification.
Besides students, expo attendees included recent graduates such as Déjon Lettsome.
“It was a good experience,” Mr. Lettsome said of the event. “I learned about some jobs, and I might apply to some.”
Art, essay contests
Leading up to the expo, HireBVI also launched an essay and art competition for primary and secondary school students. The winners were announced on Friday at the event.
“When I decided I wanted to draw, it didn’t look good at first,” said Christopher Lyew, a Ciboney Centre of Excellence student who took home a first-place prize in the art competition. “So I wanted to continue and continue until I got good.”