Sharing our passion, and giving back to the world
One of the key things that helps to drive our teams forward is our passion to help and serve the communities local to us. We pride ourselves on open communication, breaking down barriers in both community and industry, treating everyone with the same values of quality of service and respect.
We feel it is vital to put back into the communities where we operate, this takes many forms from larger formal organisations such as The Princes Trust, through to low key direct action such as shipping clothing to children in Grenada, a life boat to Tortola, play equipment to Bequia, and much needed aid in the aftermath of disasters.
Prince’s Trust Awards
The Prince’s Trust Awards recognise the achievements and hard work of young people who have received the Trust’s assistance. Their determined nature has helped them succeed in challenging circumstances and against all the odds. Because of this, Kestrel are very proud, to have not only worked with the organisation, but to have sponsored some of the key Awards as well.
In the past, we have sponsored the ‘Get into Hospitality’ and ‘Get into Logistics’ Awards in Barbados, where we helped the winning graduates develop new employability skills and gain valuable knowledge and experience. You can read more about these two Awards here.
We were at this year’s event, where we saw the launch of the Prince’s Trust Global Award. This Award goes to two young people whose journey has gone above and beyond in being life-changing, sustainable and inspirational. A number of inspirational candidates were nominated for the Award, including Shakola Thomas from Barbados.
Shakola grew up in a rough area of Barbados where the youth unemployment rate was very high. She took part in the Team Programme and developed indispensable experience. As a result, she is now a chef at a hotel. Alongside this, she is furthering her entrepreneurial ambition by setting up her own cake making business on Instagram.
A big well done to everyone who was nominated and won an award at the event. We look forward to continuing our work with the Prince’s Trust.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust, founded in 1976, is one of the United Kingdom's most successful funding organisations. We at Kestrel never fail to be inspired by their ongoing efforts to uplift the younger generations.
In January 2017, we partnered with the Prince's Trust International, a new International arm launched in 2015, to deliver their 'Get into Logistics' programme. The 'Get into' is an employability scheme in Barbados with the aim of helping disadvantaged young people on the island gain vital sector-specific skills. Our first wave of students on the 'Get into Logistics' programme all graduated with flying colours.
Mark Davidian from Kestrel had the pleasure of giving the participants of 'Get into Logistics' their graduation certificates. He heard first-hand the benefits of the programme to the young people involved.
I was very honoured to attend the Prince's Trust International Event and to meet this first wave of students – an inspiring group of enthusiastic, energetic young people looking to find a start and hopefully building a career in logistics. As the future of their industry they need to be given a chance. The benefits from this programme are already being realised in Barbados and we look forward to seeing the programme expand across the Caribbean region.
Mark Davidian
One of the biggest success stories of the 'Get into Logistics' programme was our trainee Orian. We were so impressed with her commitment and enthusiasm, we offered her a job in our offices in Barbados. We're pleased to report that she accepted, saying:
Six weeks ago I knew nothing about shipping! In five weeks I have learnt so much. I am looking forward to finding out so much more about the shipping and logistics industry. I am particularly looking forward to seeing a product on the shelves in Barbados knowing that I played a part in importing it.
We have also had the pleasure of working with the Prince's Trust International to sponsor their very successful 'Get into Hospitality' programme. This is an intensive 12-week programme which supports 15 young people who are not yet ready to enter employment and works with them to develop not only their confidence but also other key skills they will require through a residential week, community project and work placements. This programme also boasts a high degree of success with helping young people to find opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Here at Kestrel, we owe our success to the many different communities around the globe, so we are proud to support those who support us. We remain aware of the many different issues that these communities face, and are eager to help them however we can as it is part of the Mission Statement that Kestrel is built upon.