PHILIPSBURG–The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) has partnered with International Marketing, Business Development Research, Advertising, Communication, Event Planning and Educational Services group IMBRACE, which is conducting research and development of the Study Financing Priority List for government.
As part of its study IMBRACE will be reviewing business trends, labour market needs and the socio-economic implications, and will then correlate that data with the areas in demand for academic study and professional career development.
IMBRACE said the goal of the partnership is to encourage more participation from the business community through various resources at COCI. This involves online outreach through the availability of the Business Survey on the homepage of COCI’s website: http://www.chamberofcommerce.sx/; as well as through direct e-mails to COCI’s active database of businesses. In addition posters, flyers and hard copies of printed surveys will be available at COCI’s Business Centre, located in Philipsburg, to allow customers to review and participate at their convenience before or after their transactions at the Chamber.
The COCI board will also be engaged in a focus group to provide their direct input and insights into the research and development of the Priority List from their multi-disciplinary perspectives, and as such the future academic, business and career opportunities of aspiring professionals.
“We are pleased to work with IMBRACE towards enhancing the participation from the general business community,” COCI Executive Director Claret Connor was quoted as saying in a press release issued by IMBRACE.
“It provides an opportunity for us to be able to measure the participation and returns directly relating to our youth and their fields of study, while reviewing what is needed for the ever-evolving business community needs. With this valuable information, our country can engage in preparing and implementing proper policies and procedures as they relate to the labour market, while ensuring that the contributions made in the educational careers of our youth are done with the best possible returns on that investment, and reinvested back into St. Maarten’s ongoing development for the long-term.”
“I commend the support of COCI as this reflects their level of commitment to our future professionals as well as the importance of the business community’s involvement in the research project,” said IMBRACE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jacqueline Louis. “It will also provide reinforcement and motivation for other businesses to participate in the Priority List Research and Development, which requires more active involvement and input by the business community and diverse public/private industry professionals.”
Since February 2016, IMBRACE, by commission of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports, through the Division of Study Financing, has been in the process of conducting a research study in St. Maarten to determine the short, medium and long-term societal needs, as it pertains to the issuance of study financing. The goal of this study is to produce a 2017 Study Financing Priority List of studies, qualifications and professions which are aligned with St. Maarten’s economic and educational strategic plans.
IMBRACE urges business owners, managers, associates and/or employees in both the private and public sectors to take advantage of the opportunity to complete the business surveys. The surveys are open and available to everyone online and can be accessed via COCI’s website.
“We are grateful for those individuals who have already provided vital input, and compel all community and business leaders/managers/ associates to take a few minutes to respond by completing the Business Survey. Your input is essential and has far-reaching implications as the future of the business community, and the academic development of our youth depend on it.”
Additional information can be obtained by calling Louis at [email protected]/* */ or (721) 581-7973.
Source: Daily Herald
Chamber partners with Imbrace for study financing priority list
View comments
Hide comments