CAY HILL – On March 11, NIPA hosted its first Business Information Evening for current and prospective business partners.
The goal of the evening was to acknowledge the businesses, which have dedicated to NIPA students and continue to emphasize the importance of vocational education, internship and partnership.
The evening started with a dynamic welcome by the Interim Director Dr. Tasheena Maccow-Thomas, followed by the NIPA mission and vision, and an indication of the various levels of education offered at NIPA and what that means in terms of what can be expected from a graduate.
This was presented by NIPA Marketing and PR Specialist Shameda Delaney-Weekes, who was also the Master of Ceremony. The entire evening was a team effort as NIPA’s instructors and coordinators from the various programs, presented information on current programs.
This included Nursing Level 3 and 4, presented by Nichelle Van der Mark; Hospitality Level 1 presented by Alexander Adoptie; Cook Level 1 and 2 presented by Renata De Weever; ICT Level 2 presented by Carlos Monsanto; Maritime Level 1 presented by Rien Korteknie and Social Pedagogical Worker Level 2 and 3 presented by Patricia Arrindell.
The presenters kept the presentations short and concise, keeping businesses engaged and filled with questions. At the end of this segment, businesses indicated that they had a lot more clarity on what students receive in the various programs, which are currently offered at NIPA.
The new NIPA Programs, which are scheduled to start in September are: Business Administration Level 3 and 4; Educational Assistant Level 4; Network Administrator Level 4; Culinary Arts Level 4; Hospitality Management Level 4; Sports and Physical Activity and Recreation Level 3 and 4; Electrical Engineering Level 2 and 3; Small Engine Repair Level 1; Automotive Technician Level 1 and 2; Boat Master Level 2 and Pre-SBO (preparatory) Level 1.
Sherritza Peterson then proceeded to talk about the care that is offered at NIPA, in her capacity as Social Worker, followed by Job Coach Coordinator Andrea Gibson-Paul, who talked about the requirements, procedures and importance of internship for a student to successfully complete a program.
The evening ended with businesses being awarded with a Certificate of Partnership, as a token of appreciation, if they are internship partners or if NIPA had signed an MOU with the organization.
Among the businesses present that received a Certificate of Partnership were: GEBE, Sr. Basilia Center, White and Yellow Cross, 98.1 Pearl FM, Busy Body Playschool, Ideal Playschool and St. Maarten Early Childhood Development Association, which includes several playschools.
The event started at 6:00pm and ended at 8:45pm, after which attendees enjoyed tasty finger foods prepared by students of the Culinary Department. Culinary students prepared deep fried tempura shrimp upstairs on the NIPA patio, while businesses, NIPA staff and instructors engaged in discussion about the event and possibilities for the respective businesses well after the event had ended.
