Internship programmes open doors for youth

19 February 2017, 12:00AM

The 2016 Internship Programme ended last week and the feedback has been positive both from the interns as well as the work placements.

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Youth Employment Programme (Ministry of Women and Social Development) and the Samoa National Youth Council launched the programme last year.

The 10 week initiative was designed to assist with the increasing number of unemployed youth in Samoa. 

Sixteen interns were assigned to businesses/organizations that are members/stakeholders of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and supported this initiative to address youth unemployment:

• Pacific Forum Line

• Coffee Bean Café

• FAO 

• H & H Holdings (Big Bear and Mr Lavalava)

• Scientific Research Organization of Samoa

• Rhelm’s Catering

• King Construction

• Samoa Chamber of Commerce

The main purpose of the programme was to allow the interns to gain work experience in a formal setting and skills that can further their chances of securing employment. 

At the end of the programme, three interns were offered full time roles while five secured part time roles in their work placement. 

One of the interns, Santyao Misa, said she found the programme very helpful, “the work experience and skills I have gained has been great. It was my first time working and I enjoyed it, everyone was nice and helped me a lot”. Another intern, Toetu Faatoaga, stated that one of the most important skills he took from being a part of the programme was learning to adapt to a work environment, “I was able to learn from my work colleagues and found the working environment very supportive”.

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce, Youth Employment Programme (Ministry of Women’s, Community and Social Development) and the Samoa Youth Council are looking at implementing the programme again due to the positive feedback received from the interns and the workplaces.

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce CEO Lemauga Hobart Va’ai comments “The Samoa Chamber of Commerce is committed to addressing the Youth Unemployment issue in Samoa, we are  looking forward to working closer with the MWCSD to ensure this internship programme is a continuous win/win for our Government and the Private Sector of Samoa”.

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce wishes to acknowledge all the businesses who took part in the internship programme as it would not have been possible without your assistance.

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated as the National Private Sector Organisation is funded by the Pacific Leadership Program (PLP).

19 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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