Interns benefit from summer at immigration
Interns participating in a problem-solving exercise
(CNS): A group of high school and university students is finishing up a summer gaining work experience at the Department of Immigration. In addition to getting practical work experience and learning about how the department functions, the 17 interns who participated in the programme, which runs from 4 July-31 August, were also trained in workplace ethics, effective teamwork and customer service.
The students were deployed to various sections of the department including work-permit administration, passport and corporate services, enforcement, border control (airport) and headquarters which consists of the public counter, filing, human resources, accounts, training and the operations unit.
The interns were Coriah Hill, Amir Palmer, Janell Taylor, Tyrese Scott, Patrick Barrett, Toreann Shields, Tevin Yen, Alexis McDonald, Jamelia Bryan Jordanna Kirchman, Kristi Welds, Kayla Welds, Asanna Hodgson, Ericka Rockett-McBean, Ashley McLean, Jacob Wood and Channelle Thomas.
Scott, who has been working in the visa section, said he has his heart set on a career with immigration, according to a government press release. He previously gained work experience with the department while he was at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre and said he was particularly impressed with the operations of the visa section, which prompted him to request a summer placement there.
Iowa Wesleyan University student and enforcement intern Yen said he found working in that section fascinating as his career goal is to be a crime scene investigator. “Being in the enforcement section afforded me hands-on experience and which will no doubt be of benefit in my chosen career path,” he said.
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Bruce Smith thanked department staff for accommodating the summer interns during their own busy schedules. “It is our responsibility to get this next generation ready for a career in the civil service,” he said.
“Consequently, the department’s employees model what it is to work in a hectic and essential arm of the government, while providing a positive experience for these young adults.”
Category: Training
