he participants of the programme pose for a souvenir photo with VP Michel

Eighteen casual workers who have completed a pre-service orientation training programme in the Ministry of Finance have been awarded with their certificates.

The participants were presented with their certificates by Vice-President James Michel during a short ceremony on Friday September 19, at State House.

Special awards were presented to the best performers.

The majority of the workers had been referred to the ministry by the Unemployment Relief Scheme (URS) and others were on casual work attachment.

The aim of the orientation training programme was to provide the participants with generic work skills and allow them to explore possible career opportunities within the ministry.

It is also seen as a method of enabling prospective employees to understand their role better and adapt to their working environment.

The participants had followed a seven-week classroom training and five weeks of practical work attachment.

During their training the young workers were introduced to the work of various divisions, their policies and procedures. They were also taught about public relations as well as their rights and privileges, code of conduct and disciplinary enforcement and regulations under the Public Service Orders, communication, conflict resolution, team building and time management.

The programme was facilitated by the heads of divisions in the ministry as well as other private lecturers.

"I attach a lot of importance to the training of our young people because I believe that when they have acquired the necessary abilities to do something well they will contribute fully to the development of our country and their own progress in life," Vice-President Michel said when addressing the participants.

"The Orientation Training Programme has made it possible for you to have the skills that will enable you to become multi-functional public servants," he added.

However, VP Michel told them that having skills alone was not enough. As prospective employees of the ministry, he said, they also needed to have a positive attitude, discipline, responsibility and devotion to perform their jobs well.

The Vice-President recommended that other organisations implement such an orientation programme.

The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks by Rose-Mary Port-Louis.

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