News

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) is proud to announce the launch of the Youth Stewardship Programme. This programme is the first of its kind by the National Trust to offer young Caymanians (ages 18 -30yrs old) a unique opportunity to learn about Cayman’s environment and historically significant sites and become future custodians of these sites. The six weeklong programme is being hosted in partnership with R3 Cayman Foundation and WORC. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive training by guest experts, government agencies and our staff for the Youth Stewards through lectures, field study and tours of our treasured gems on all three islands. We want them to be brand ambassadors to protect what is uniquely ours” stated Annick Jackman, Executive Director for the National Trust. “The Department of Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman are extremely excited to partner with the National Trust of the Cayman Islands and R3 to spearhead this unique pilot programme, to get Caymanians trained and certified with entry level tour guide skills. This will be the first tour guide certification offered locally which is specifically geared to the Cayman Islands and focused on the National Trust programmes and sites; and we are very proud to support and be a part of history in the making” stated Dianne Connolly, Manager - National Training & Development, WORC. “The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is proud to offer our young Caymanians an opportunity to take part in our Youth Stewardship Programme. This a pilot programme as part of my mandate to create more positive awareness of the National Trust. Each of the individuals taking part are trail blazers who will be setting a precedent for those who will follow them. We are excited to see the positive future for our first group of Youth Stewards” stated Olson Anderson, NTCI Chairman. The NTCI is proud to have the R3 Cayman Foundation as a sponsor for this incredible initiative. Their support has allowed for this programme to be possible and an amazing educational opportunity for the participants is underway as they are immersed in Cayman’s rich heritage and environment. R3 Cayman Foundation is aprivate sector-led, charitable organisation focused on disaster Readiness, Relief and Recovery in the Cayman Islands. “R3 Cayman Foundation is proud to have partnered with the National Trust for the Cayman Islands for its first Youth Stewardship Programme. As part of our recovery mandate, we are happy to support programmes that are being offered by non-profit organisations like the National Trust which assist young persons whose job opportunities have been limited by the Covid-19 pandemic to be reskilled or retooled in order to be able to take advantage of the jobs that will exist in the post-pandemic economy. The fact that this programme is also meant to promote the protection of the environment is in keeping with one of our broad objectives to mitigate the environmental impact that has arisen, or may arise, from an emergency or disaster. We wish the students the very best as they progress through the programme and are keen to see how they are able to put their newly acquired skills to use on the completion of the programme” stated Bryan Hunter, Chairman R3 Cayman Foundation.