Inspire, R3 and local employer join forces for Cayman’s future

By Christopher Tobutt

Despite all the trials of COVID-19, back in July ten young Caymanians took advantage of the opportunity to get a foot on the ladder of career success, by attending three of Inspire Cayman’s vocational training courses. R3 Cayman stepped right in, generously donating 31,000 dollars to the Build Your Future organization, which in turn provided scholarships to the students to each attend three of Inspire Cayman’s courses, with another 25,000 KYD to follow, later in the year, subject to favorable outcomes.

The students were all there for a special presentation of HP Chromebook computers from Inspire Cayman to 4 of the students to mark their perfect attendance. R3 Cayman’s Chairman, Bryan Hunter, Joannah Bodden Small and Sheenah Hislop were all there too, helping to present the computers, along with Jason Brown Managing Director from IWC, a local waste management company that has taken on two apprentices from the Inspire programme to learn all about heavy equipment maintenance and operation. “I am very proud of you for taking this step,” Mr Brown said, as he addressed the students. “All of us want to be a positive influence on you so that you can be a positive influence on others. Never give up, no matter what struggles you face in life. Keep persevering and you’ll get there.” Joshua Smith is going to be understudying on the Heavy equipment operations side of things, and Ellis Parchment is going to be understudying our lead diesel technician, Mr. Brown explained.

Michael Myles, who started Inspire Cayman success story, said, “Over the past few months we have had a phenomenal journey and I couldn’t have done it without your support and commitment. Over the last two months we have been successful in placing five people. We have two in full time employment, and we have three that will be starting their apprenticeships over the next couple of weeks, and I cannot ask for more. I think that by the time we finish in October, everyone that started our core group on July will be placed. You have worked hard. You have ensured that everything of what you have done has been towards elevating yourself to the place where you are phenomenal employee. That is what employers are wanting from us, and wanting from you. They want you to come in and transform their companies.”

R3 Cayman’s Bryan Hunter said, “R3 provided donations to Future Cayman which in turn provided scholarships to ten students to participate in vocational training. That aligned perfectly with our mission to help these islands recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, by supporting technical and vocational education training programs.

R3’s Joannah Bodden Small said, “This represents the best for what our community has to offer. We have you, our amazing young people who are coming together to put yourselves forward, we have Michael and his staff, a school that has come forward at a time of need to provide much-needed resources and training, and we’ve got the R3 foundation that has come forward to help with funding and we have got an employer, Jason from IWC. When we come together as a community we do good things.”