The Anguilla Community College (ACC) hosted its second ‘ACC CONNECTS’ Summer 2019 activity with the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI) After Hours, on Thursday, July 11, 2019. The ACOCI After Hours was a forum for the business and hospitality community to highlight what it considers are the priority areas for training and education. It was also an opportunity for the College to share information about the ACC’s programming, identify areas for collaboration between the ACOCI membership and the ACC, and to continue to promote the ‘ACC for Everybody’ rebranding.
The first short, discussion-provoking presentation was from Mrs Annmarie Letang, Human Resources Director at Zemi Beach House & Spa. Mrs Letang highlighted the importance of challenging Anguilla’s youngest and brightest to consider building careers in Hospitality – which is Anguilla’s economic mainstay – as well as in ancillary technical sectors. She also emphasized that education and training locally must support young people’s exposure and growth in the areas of deportment, discipline, work ethics and customer service – the critical soft skills that are the foundation for success in service industries.
Ms Annishka White, Business Lecturer at ACC, also gave a summary of the British accredited Pearson BTEC programming that is currently offered at the Anguilla Community College. She explained the applied learning approach which underscores BTEC and the equivalence between BTECs and CXC CSEC qualifications. The Anguilla Community College offers BTEC programming through its ACC 6th Form Programme with scholarships for recent ALHCS 5th form graduates in Business, Hospitality and Construction Studies. Qualifications in Creative Media and IT will also be launched in the new school year in September. BTECs in Business and Management are also offered at Levels 4 and 5.
The final presentation was delivered by Ms Tahira Banks, Principal of marketing firm, Thoughtful, which has been working with Anguilla Community College to improve its marketing and communications strategy and rebranding. Ms Banks presented a summary of the market research and the resulting revised messaging namely ‘ACC for Everybody’ which speaks to a multifaceted ACC offering (1) a cost effective jumpstart for 5th form graduates to begin their college/university education; (2) a second-chance for youth who may have initially made poor choices or dropped out of school but now wanted to continue their education; (3) an opportunity for young persons who might have done a bit of 6th form and are looking to extend their preparation for the work place; (4) a convenient choice for mature adults looking to add qualifications to their experience and (5) a fun and face-to-face option for life-long learners.
ACC CONNECTS continues throughout this summer with events and activities such as SIMPLE STEPS TO SUCCESS at the Teabox Lounge which targeted young entrepreneurs and youth looking to improve their work and education options; HOW TO GET AHEAD IN HOSPITALITY, at the ATB (Anguilla Tourist Board) for persons interested in working in hospitality – as well as hospitality workers looking to step up and a SECOND CHANCE/OFF TO COLLEGE JAM & OPEN HOUSE collaboration with YHNG on Saturday, August 17th, at the ACC Campus site in George Hill. To find out about ACC’s BTEC Scholarships for 6th Form, or any of the ACC’S CONNECTS activities, call on 498-8495, WhatsApp on 476-8395, email at info@acc.edu.ai or visit the website on www.acc.edu.ai.
– Press Release