Nearly three dozen students employed by LUCELEC for the summer vacation have been given some sound lessons on work ethics.  The training is part of the work experience programme for the students and was conducted by noted St Lucian professional, Thecla Deterville – Managing Director of Celestial Self-Development Centre.

It was organized by LUCELEC’s Human Resource Department “in an effort to fully prepare the summer interns for the world of work”.

LUCELEC Human Resource Supervisor Karleen Edwin, who oversees the summer employment programme, said the activity demonstrates the company’s continued support for youth development and empowerment in St Lucia.

“We try to prepare the students for the world of work, by providing not only hands on experience but also by ensuring that they will have the correct attitude and disposition when they secure permanent employment,” she said.

Thecla Deterville is an accomplished motivational speaker and life coach with many years working in human resource development. She specializes in soft skills training and the provision of self-development workshops and courses.

Ms. Deterville also served as a facilitator in the Entry Level Skills programme undertaken by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce for a number of years.

She believes that the work ethics training will help to empower the interns with the competences needed to get ahead in a competitive work environment.

“Ethics is important because if there isn’t ethical behaviour in the workplace it can breakdown into chaos. Having ethical standards to follow serves both the organization and the individual in good stead,” she said.

She adds that LUCELEC’s “approach to training ensures that (interns) maintain the standard that the company is known for.”

Each year from early June to early September, LUCELEC employs nearly 60 students, allowing them to gain priceless insights into what it takes to succeed in the world of work.

They also receive valuable experience of the demands of working in an environment that places a premium on efficiency.

This year the company hired 45 students from secondary schools and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, as well as students on vacation from universities abroad.
Participants in the training exercise welcomed the opportunity to learn more about personal accountability and responsibility in the workplace.

“It was a good and refreshing exercise to remind us of how we’re supposed to conduct ourselves in the work environment,” said Herbert Regis who has been attached to the Customer Service department. He added that, “it’s more a general experience instead of specifically a LUCELEC based experience, so it was very interesting and very educational.”

A number of students will complete their summer internship with LUCELEC at the end of July while the remainder will leave in at the end of August.

The summer employment programme also helps LUCELEC to identify talent for potential future employment, with a number of current employees, including some managers, having started their careers there.