Centre for Employment Training holds open house
We have not followed their progress into the work force, but whenever the Centre for Employment Training opens its doors to the press and public the glimpse of vocational education never fails to impress. Ann Marie Williams reports.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
Three hundred entry level students of the Centre for Employment Training in Belize City participated in their ninth annual open day. Masonry, carpentry, electronics and hotel management were well represented.
Masonry student Terrence Moya was busy building a small concrete house.
Ann-Marie Williams
“What’s a good cement mixture?”
Terrence Moya, Masonry Student
“Whenever you mix the cement and the cement is looking grey, no browness in it, that’s a good cement mixture. I hope in the future that I will become a contractor or a foreman. It could even help me to build my own house in the future, or I could pass the training on to my kids if I have kids, or friends whatsoever,”
Ann-Marie Williams
“You could also take odd jobs around the neighbourhood and fix things in your own house too.”
Terrence Moya
“Yes. I could also do that.”
And what these carpentry students were also doing is building a house for sale. According to Cecil Ford, CET’s manager, there’s a reason why the house is incomplete.
Cecil Ford, Manager, CET
“Rather than completing the house and people come here and see a completed house, what we wanted was that the projects are being worked on during the open house so that people can see it is actually the trainees doing these things.”
And trainees in hospitality management had their own tropical sunset going on. Michelangelo Samuels assisted with decorating the restaurant.
Michelangelo Samuels, Hospitality Management Student
“The ambience is very important because it creates that feeling. When somebody in, they want to come in to a restaurant, and if the ambience is not peaceful, it will not draw the customers to come and dine. So if you create that perfect ambience, they’ll want to come in to your restaurant and buy your food.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“And you think you have the perfect ambience today?”
Michelangelo Samuels
“Definitely, we have the perfect ambience, tropical sunset.”
Nasareen Jex has prepared well for today’s feast.
Nasareen Jex, Hospitality Management Student
“For this special feast I prepared the apple pie and banana upside down cake. I also helped in doing the other dishes that we have here as well.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“What kind of future are you envisioning as a member of the hospitality industry?”
Nasareen Jex
“For myself, I envision to be a chef. I plan to study and probably come back and open my restaurant here in Belize and serve my Belizeans food.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Is there a favourite dish you like to prepare? Savoury or sweet?”
Nasareen Jex
“I have no favourites, I love cooking. I prepare whatever I can no matter what.”
Shurny Trapp plans to be a waitress.
Shurny Trapp, Hospitality Management Student
“I decorated those cakes and helped to prepare different things in the kitchen like the pies, the bread, the buns and what’s not.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“What part would you like to play in the hospitality industry?”
Shurny Trapp
“I like to play waitress because it’s more money.”
More money comes if you can attract and keep good customers. And there are ways to ensure your customers keep coming back.
Shurny Trapp
“You need a good attitude. The guest could embarrass you, but you just smile. There’s nothing you need but a smile.”
Nasareen Jex
“If the meal is prepared well, your customers will come back. They will bring other customers along. The good news about the good food goes around very quickly.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
