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The Chamber of Commerce recognised six honourees – the VoTech Stars – at the VoTech Stars Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 3 October at the Compass Loft.

The VoTech Stars initiative is a collaboration launched in 2022 by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Inspire Cayman, Foster’s, and Health City.

Its purpose is to promote and celebrate Caymanians who excel in vocational and technical fields. People from the community are asked to nominate ambassadors or “VoTech Stars,” resulting in a final list of awardees.

It aims to attract more Caymanians to pursue careers in vocational/technical fields while educating them about the increasingly wide range of opportunities available.

Each VoTech Star tells his or her story in a short video made available on the Chamber of Commerce YouTube and social media channels. These videos can be a resource for school and college career guidance professionals.

The VoTech Stars are also featured on Grand Cayman billboards and promoted through national and media platforms. 

During the Ceremony, the Chamber CEO Wil Pineau welcomed the VoTech Stars, their families and sponsors.

“Tonight, we gather to recognise six exceptional Caymanians, each of whom has been nominated by their employers to be publicly recognised as VoTech Stars. Working in non-traditional careers, these individuals make indispensable contributions to our economy, often in ways that go unnoticed. This evening, we spotlight their unique and invaluable contributions, acknowledging that their efforts are as crucial to our community as those in more visible fields,” he said.

Chamber President Joanne Lawson stressed the importance of the programme’s role in increasing job opportunities. Quoting from the first Spider-Man Movie, she said: “With great power comes great responsibility”

Wesley Howell, Chief Officer with the Ministry of Labour and Border Control, joined Lawson and presented Alyssa West, Joey Bodden, Mechach Taylor, Perry Smith Jr., Trenton Foreman, and William Belfond with their awards.