(CNS Business): The Community Vocational Training Centre (CVTC), which opened last July, has now added Customer Service Training to its existing menu of vocational studies.  Under the overall heading of Optimum Customer Service, important topics such as answering the telephone, assisting walk-in customers, time management, proper etiquette and grooming are all covered in depth, facilitated by local author, television personality, radio host and counselor, Catherine Tyson. Fourteen people attended the first course, which was conducted over four weeks from 19 September to 10 October. (See photo below)

Administrator and Public Relations Officer at CVT, Lorna Bush, said, “We are working closely with the recruitment officers at local hotels and restaurants to find placements for our students.  After all, at the end of the day, that is what this is all about, equipping our people to be good, productive workers taking their rightful place in the workplace and subsequently being able to support themselves financially. 

"This can only be a win-win situation; confidence and self-esteem is being built as our people become meaningful contributors in their own country, thereby reducing the burden on government to sustain them through welfare and social services.”

Tyson is a trained counselor and holds a master’s degree in social work with an undergraduate degree in psychology.  She has taught at middle school abroad and conducted various counseling related courses at the college level in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes.  Tyson’s self-development courses on island and abroad seek to arm individuals with skills and qualifications to be successful in the business world.  Her expertise is in the area of self development and grooming for the professional world on different levels, and she aims to look at the individual as a whole and apply certain principles to their daily work.

Next up in the continuing personal development series are two workshops, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT). PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In Delivering Excellence) trainers will conduct this industry-specific training in four-hour modules. PRIDE certification is viewed as a valuable asset by recruiters in the local hospitality industry. 

The three core programmes currently being offered at CVT are Electrical Apprenticeship, Air-conditioning, and Plumbing.

For more information on continuing and upcoming programmes offered at CVTC:

Community Vocational Training
PO Box 31074
Grand Cayman  KY1-1205

C&M Building
120 School Rd.
Phone: (345) 321-7762 or (345) 939-7513
E-mail: caymanagency@yahoo.com