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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Team Building exercise in Andros (2014 photo)
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The Creativity for Employment and Business Opportunity (CEBO) is a CARICOM initiative that was piloted in The Bahamas and four other countries: Belize, Dominica, Jamaica and St. Kitts & Nevis for the first time in the Caribbean in 2012.
In the week-long workshop geared towards development of entrepreneurial skills in youth ages 32 and under to address skills barriers that prevent youth inclusion in business. Participants are create simulated companies then are engaged in a series of team building and self-development activities; develop a viable business plan, then produce, market and sell products/services within their simulated companies. The workshop is not the typical classroom setting as it is designed to be intense, fun, hands on, practical based learning that will pull the creativity out of each participant to develop something innovative to impact the country or their immediate community. Participants leave the workshop with the knowledge needed to start their own business. The program allows for continued support afterwards through the network of business mentors, workshop facilitators and fellow budding entrepreneurs.
One of the companies during the Exuma session explaining their business idea. (2014 photo)
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By the end of CEBO’s second year, the workshop had been facilitated on five Bahamian Islands – New Providence, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Exuma, and Andros- with more than one hundred participants having completed the program. Upon completion, CEBO graduates started businesses in numerous areas such as catering, blogging and photography, car washes, beverage production, natural hair products, carpentry, organic mulch, and native jewelry. While the program itself does not provide funding for the businesses, CEBO is expanding to better meet the needs of participants.
Companies working on their business concepts in the New Providence session that took place in Elizabeth Estates. (2014 photo)
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CEBO is currently in its third year and gearing up for the first cycle on Monday March 23- Friday March 27, 2015. The workshop will take place at The National Stadium from 9am -4 pm. The workshop is free of charge and open to anyone ages 32 years and under interested in learning the fundamentals of starting and running a business. Space however is limited as each session can only accommodate 25 persons. Any interested persons can find out more information or register by contacting Jasmaine Harper at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture at 502-0736 or by email jasmaineharper@bahamas.gov.bs.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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