Profiling Career Choice: The case of Business Management Technicians from State-run Technical Institutes in The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
Keywords:
business management technicians, technical institutes, career choice, west indies, labour marketAbstract
This present paper delineates the characteristics of prospective individuals who wish to choose their careers by use of empirical evidence drawn from a comprehensive study of how Business Management Technicians (BMTs) from State-run Technical Institutes (SRTIs) in The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies fared on the Labour Market. BMTs (500) from a population of 1170 were surveyed using semi-structured interviews, opinionnairs, academic records and a questionnaire to examine 11 key areas representing both worker and job characteristics. Females from five year high schools who opted for the business studies subject group at Cambridge General Certificate of Education (GCE) ordinary level or Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) basic or general proficiency level examinations were found to be the most suitable candidates for prospective BMTs. On-thejob training experience appeared important and work in the business and other sectors especially for the 20-29, 40-49, > 49 age cohorts was found to be an asset. An instructive career profile
should address certain fundamental variables like resourcefulness, dedication, resilience, patience, management, personality orientation, critical thinking, assertive communication, divergent thinking, autonomy, independence, ethics, optimism, flexibility, planfulness, reliability, dependability, commitment to continuous learning, responsibility, high self esteem and selfefficacy, self-discipline and self -reliance.
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