Contact:
Sharine Allamby
Business Center
Phone: (721) 542-3595/90
Email: s.allamby @chamberofcommerce.sx
Date: March 24, 2014
PRESS RELEASE
COCI AND USM REPRESENTATIVES ON PRE-USM
“WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM”
The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) attended a Pre-USM “Work Experience
Program” information session on Tuesday 24th March, 2015 at the University of St. Martin (USM), as part
of the Chamber’s 20/20 Vision: “Home is Where I Prosper” Education Initiative. The dual purpose of this
program is 1) to encourage the business community to exercise social corporate responsibility and aid in
strengthening St. Maarten’s up and coming young professionals and 2) to enhance the skills of Pre-USM
students via an internship through which they can learn, experience workplace ethics, professionalism
and personal responsibility. COCI collaborated with USM to expose students to workplace introductions,
expectations such as " dressing for success", interview tips, etc. and played a pivotal role in guiding
students with Resume building and personal branding sessions.
The program’s run date is March 3rd - May 31st, 2015 and COCI strategically placed over 18 Pre-USM
students in internships across various organizations and industries in St. Maarten.
In this first update session, students described what they were learning and how the experience
impacted them thus far. Board Member Nzinga Lake made a presentation on the importance of being a
part of this Pre-USM Program 2015 as an intern. "You have being given this wonderful opportunity to
create long lasting relationships with your supervisors and co-workers and in the future you can use
those lessons learned in establishing a successful business” said Lake.
COCI would like to extend gratitude to companies who partnered with COCI to make this program
possible; N.V. GEBE, Windward Islands Bank, Maduro & Sons Inc., Leonard Enterprises N.V., Henderson
Insurances, Baker Suites, Bureau Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten, Women’s Health Services
N.V., Telem Group of Companies, Antek IT Solutions, Brison Tax & Accounting, Department of Economic
Licenses (Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication). Stakeholders in the
business and surrounding communities are encouraged to contact us for further information/inquiries
via email: biz@chamberofcommerce.sx and/ by phone: 1-721-542-3590/95 during operational hours
Mondays – Fridays: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
In Attached Pictures:
1.0 COCI Board Member Nzinga Lake, Student Coordinator Mrs. Oldine Bryson-Pantophlet and Project Coordinator Tytania
Archangel with participating students.
1.1 COCI Board Member Nzinga Lake, Student Coordinator Mrs. Oldine Bryson-Pantophlet and Business Center Rep Sharine
Allamby-Duncan with participating students
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