Castries, February 3rd – It started! The 15 students of the French Gateways to Global Careers programme gathered at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) for the first time last week. The official launch took place on February 3rd in the presence of Hon. Shawn A. Edward, Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training. The ground-breaking programme created jointly by the SALCC and Unite Caribbean aims to equip students and young entrepreneurs with skills to succeed in the French Caribbean market.

On February 3rd, the SALCC, Unite Caribbean and the French Embassy for the Eastern Caribbean States, Barbados and the OECS officially launched the programme during a ceremony held at the Innovation Hub of the SALCC from 10 am to 12 pm, in the presence of the 15 students of French Gateways. Opening remarks from Thomas Chollet, CEO of Unite Caribbean, were followed by interventions from Dr Keith Nurse (SALCC), Julie Burneleau (Alliance Française) and Christel Outreman (French Embassy). The partners were honoured to welcome Hon. Shawn A. Edward, Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training for closing remarks. Quiana Charles, a SALCC student enrolled in the French Gateways to Global Careers programme, will then read a poem in French. Fabrice Terrier (Unite Caribbean) and Brent St Catherine (SALCC) ended the launch ceremony with presentations about the making of the programme, partnership opportunities for the private sector and the programme’s content.

For Thomas Chollet, “This programme embodies the values of Unite Caribbean, and leads the way to show what the future of regional Caribbean integration in vocational training could be. We are proud to have contributed to build this strong partnership between the SALCC and the Alliance Française, and we are now looking forward to bring on board private sector actors”. Indeed, private companies will play a key role in the programme, providing the students with direct opportunities to interact with major actors in their sectors.

The “French Gateway to Global Careers” programme started on January 27th. 15 Saint Lucian students were selected among more than 40 applicants, based on their French skills and their entrepreneurship spirit. The one-year long course is divided in four (4) operational modules focusing on the key sectors of tourism and agriculture, with a technical French training supported and certified by Alliance Française. Sessions will alternate between theory and practical exercises. “The programme is a perfect blend of concepts and hands-on learning, with modules delivered in the classroom, digitally and it comprises sites visits and internships. Our students will gain an invaluable knowledge which will give them a competitive edge in the labour market.”, according to Dr Nurse, SALCC.

The programme French Gateways to Global Careers is supported by the French Embassy for the OECS countries based in Saint Lucia. It is part of an overall project aiming to improve professional integration and increase exchanges between French and Saint Lucian vocational and higher education institutions. For Christel Outreman, Regional counsellor for Cooperation at the French Embassy in Saint Lucia “We are very proud to have initiated and to be financing this programme. This is a flagship for further strengthening the ties between the OECS countries and the French territories.”
The launch ceremony will be livestreamed on the SALCC and Unite Caribbean Facebook pages on February 3rd, from 10 am.

SALCC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SALCC
Unite Caribbean Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UNITE.Caribbean