Two students from the Antigua State College (ASC) gained valuable working experience and useful insight into workers' rights, as a result of their participation in a six-week internship program at the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU).
This is the second year that the ABWU has welcomed final-year Business Department students to facilitate their orientation into the world of work.
ABWU General Secretary, Sen. David Massiah, was pleased to have the interns onboard. He told the interns that the knowledge and skills they acquired would be a firm foundation for building productive and fulfilling careers. Massiah added that young workers are an important group within the trade union movement, and he also committed to offering more support and training for this group of workers in the future.
Both interns, Te’myah Browne and Rheonce′ Gomes had first-hand exposure to the day-to-day operations at the union. The training covered administrative and clerical duties as well as communication and marketing activities.
(L-R) Te’myah Browne, Sen. David Massiah, Rheonce′ Gomes
Gomes, a Marketing student, shared a detailed account of her experience: “I completed various tasks such as filing and organizing paperwork, assisting with creating a month’s content plan for the Union’s Snackette page, while also taking members’ photos and uploading information into the system, as well as liaising with various union officers and support staff.”
Gomes added: “I enjoyed attending a Union workshop in May, where workers of all sectors gathered together to gain knowledge and express their opinions.”
Business Administration major, Te’myah Browne, described an equally enlightening experience. “ I learned that it is extremely beneficial to join a union once you are working and over the age of 18,” Browne shared. “I was able to interact with ordinary workers who became members after visiting the union for advice and representation,” she continued.
In addition, Browne shared that one of her favorite parts of the experience was editing photos, videos and news articles for the Union’s website and social media pages.
ABWU Communication Officer, Anderson Edghill, worked closely with the interns. He described them as talented and eager to learn. Edghill added that both interns are now equipped with the basic knowledge and skills to enable them to function productively in the world of work.
Gomes and Browne received positive evaluations and are excited about their departure from the Antigua State College. The internship program ran from April 30 to June 7, 2024.
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