National Internship and Apprenticeship Program (NIAP) is one of the critical flag ship programs for the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture. It is through this program that the Ministry and Government is able to fulfill its vision for human capital development and avail our young graduates and students with exposure to additional skills and knowledge to make them more ready for the world of work or as they make decisions about their career path.
A critical aspect of the program is exposure to those skills that were identified in our skills audit as necessary but absent among many of our young people. These include decision making, communication and other skills.
On Thursday, October 10, the National Internship and Apprenticeship Program hosted a Soft Skills training session for its 2024 cohort of apprentices at the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources conference room. The session was attended by thirteen (13) apprentices from various disciplines, such as law enforcement, healthcare, business management, information technology, education, and biomedical sciences.
These soft skills training sessions address the skills gap identified in the 2017 National Skills Audit, highlighting the need for workforce development in these areas. Soft skills training is crucial for apprentices as it equips them with the interpersonal and emotional intelligence needed to thrive in a professional setting. Moreover, solid soft skills contribute to personal growth, boosting confidence and professionalism and managing time and responsibilities efficiently. Soft skills training prepares apprentices for long-term success by making them well-rounded, adaptable, and valuable employees.
Apprentices participated in the interactive training sessions covering seven topics – professional etiquette, coordinating with others, active listening, service orientation, complex problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills. The sessions were led by experts Arielle Neely, Career Advancement and Program Coordinator of the NIAP, Melanie Smith, Founder & CEO of Talent Recruitment Group and Denise Westcarr, TCA Handling Human Resources Manager. Soft skills training is designed to ensure that apprentices are well-prepared with the skills they need for their desired careers.
At the training, Hon. Taylor, Minister for Education, expressed her commitment to advancing the skills and knowledge of program participants, aiming to prepare them for the competitive job market and empower them to contribute meaningfully to the islands' development.
Registration for the fourth-year implementation of the NIAP opens in February 2025. The program has aligned over 200 students with work experience and soft skills training within their field. We encourage all tertiary students to take advantage of the opportunity and register in February 2025.
The National Apprenticeship Program which started in September 2021, is currently in its sixth month and currently has six apprentices. This program is designed to give individuals who have graduated with either a bachelors or masters’ degree an opportunity to gain nine to twelve (9-12) months’ work experience within their field. 
