Category: DATAS Written Testimonials

Olando Fraser Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Olando Fraser Engineer in Training Electrical and Computer Engineering My career path started in the year 2010 after several discussions with my mother who was and still is the pinnacle of my success. She would constantly ask “Olando, what do you intend to do with your life?” At the time, I was a young man and just started as a Clerk I in the public service, to me life was good. She realized I began to neglect my academic development; so she had a conversation with me that changed my life. I sat a while and did some serious soul searching, I asked myself what I really wanted to be in this life. The decision wasn’t a hard one for me, but I must say at first it wasn’t to be an Electrical Engineer. I applied to the School of Business and Computer Science for their Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician’s Diploma followed by the Advanced Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician’s Diploma. The Advanced Diploma to me was very challenging because I was the only student from my year to successfully complete all modules of the first year, hence applying simple economics it was not prudent to pay teachers to teach one student. It was here I encountered my first hurdle; I spoke to my mother who is always optimistic in every situation. She told me you came this far, and God won’t leave your side. I proceeded to do my final year on my own without any guidance or teachers to assist. It was very difficult, but I overcame this hurdle. After being the only student to successfully complete the Advanced Diploma, I was ready to go home, apply for jobs and start living life, my mother however had other plans. She asked me why stop here you came this far, you proved everyone who doubted you that you can do it. She asked, “Why don’t you try for the Engineering Degree?” in my head I thought me, an Engineer, a little boy from Tobago to be an engineer. I said well ok, can’t hurt to apply right. I called some close friends and asked for advice since I knew nothing about this university life. I should mention, everyone I asked told me I would never be accepted to be an Electrical Engineer. I was told they only accepted the best of the best and half the class were scholarship winners. I was a bit despondent because I only had CXC level Mathematics and CAPE Mathematics was a fundamental tool for this degree. I told myself well it makes no sense being in over my head I did enough, already right? My mother however, had other plans, again she encouraged me to move with faith, God is greater than man. I applied and I was given a “Deferred Acceptance” meaning I will be accepted for the next year on the condition that I have to complete CXC level Chemistry and obtain either a grade I or II. I left Trinidad and came back to Tobago and enrolled in private Chemistry classes. Upon successfully completing Chemistry where I obtained a grade I, I sent my certificate to the Engineering Faculty and awaited feedback. Time passed and I received no feedback. I decided to follow up via several phone calls. Finally I got through and was told that they tried contacting me but there was a mistake with my phone number so I was replaced by another student. My heart sank, the Clerk said she will talk to her supervisor for advice on the way forward since it wasn’t my fault. Later the day, I was contacted and informed that I was accepted to start the programmme. This was a bitter-sweet moment for me because I got this information on Thursday and the following Monday was the beginning of the new semester. As the saying goes, I was like a fish out of water, I made several calls and asked fellow Tobagonians to assist in acquiring an apartment. I was able to secure an apartment the Saturday and moved in by Sunday to start school Monday, I can’t begin to explain the anxiety and stress that came with this transition. I began a new chapter of my life at the University of the West Indies to pursue a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The “little Tobago boy” in class with the big boys, the best of the best. To be very honest, this was the hardest tenure of my life. This degree changed my life, it was no joke and the hours were unforgiving. I would wake at 6:00am daily reach class for 8:00am and some days classes went to 9:00pm. I was slowly falling apart trying to acclimatize to the rapid change in my life and keep up with the demand. In my first semester, I failed all my midterm exams, I remember sitting outside talking to my mother and crying, I said “this isn’t for me I cannot make it.” She said “Olando I didn’t send you to go and beat the best I only ask that you do your best.” I closed my eyes, she prayed for me and asked God to put the right people in my way. The very next day I met a group of fellers who became my brothers and the rest was history. I remember calling my mother in jubilation shouting “mammy I met some fellers and we formed a study group I’m good now I like the vibe with these guys”, she replied you see God is working for you. At the end of the semester I passed all my courses and I was so elated, but the worst was yet to come. My final year was the worst year of my life, I had to complete nine (9) courses along with my final year project. I was bordering between sanity and insanity. I remember being under immense pressure I would just sit and cry at times then

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Crystol Caesar Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Crystol F. Caesar Meteorologist BSc. Meteorology My name is Crystol Fayola Caesar of Signal Hill, Tobago and I first got interested in the field of Meteorology as a child. I would lay for hours in the yard looking at the clouds envisioning different cloud shapes but mainly wondering how they came to be. I attended Signal Hill Secondary Comprehensive School from September 2004 up till May 2012 where I pursued Pure Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Geography, and languages. Languages are advantageous to a meteorologist because weather is not confined to the boundaries of our twin-island republic and as such you never know where in the world you can end up. In August 2013, I journeyed to the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus in Barbados to begin reading for the Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. Prior to leaving for Barbados I had applied to the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) for financial assistance and in October of that year I received confirmation that I had been selected for the scholarship. This was elating news because my family and I quickly realized that Barbados is not cheap. In addition to funding from DATAS, I also received a loan through the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP). As the Tobago saying goes, “One one cocoa does full basket!” and I needed all the help (pun intended) I could get. Living and studying in Barbados was challenging because on one hand as was mentioned before, it is a very expensive country and on the other hand being away from family for long periods of time proved a challenge as well. In my second year I believe, the banks stopped issuing travellers’ cheques with the alternative being Prepaid MasterCard/credit cards. There was this one unfortunate time I had forgot to inform the bank that I was proceeding back to school and upon using the card in Barbados, it was blocked for fraud. I can laugh now looking back on it but being in a foreign country with limited funds is “pressure”. My family, landlady Ms. Rose, Mrs. Angela Edghill, a family friend and Barbadian national, as well as other Tobagonians all assisted me to overcome such challenges and press forward. I would like to make special mention of Ms. Petronella Neptune (deceased) at DATAS who was my officer for the majority of my university career and who always provided words of encouragement during the times I would go in to collect a cheque or even via email. I graduated in October 2018 with a BSc Meteorology with a minor in Environmental Science but my journey did not stop there as I once again returned to Barbados to complete a professional development course namely the Operational Aeronautical Forecasters’ Course (OAFC) in May 2019. In short, this course enables a meteorologist with the skills needed to work at an airport in an aeronautical forecasting capacity. DATAS facilitated this need by providing financial assistance towards the OAFC. I graduated from the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology in July 2019 with this additional qualification added to my resume. After attaining this qualification, I continued my on-the-job training at the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service where I gained full competency as an Operational Meteorologist in December 2020. Overall, I am indeed grateful for the tremendous support which the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has provided myself as well as other Tobagonians. My advice to persons seeking to enter the field of Meteorology is to ensure that you properly research what it entails before pursuing. Mathematics is engrained into this field so learn to love it! Also, there are various fields under the umbrella of Meteorology and while persons may ask, “If you’re a meteorologist, how come I never see you on TV?” there is no pressure to work at an airport. Other fields include Broadcast, Marine, Agro-Meteorology, Forensic Services and Hydro-Meteorology (just to name a few); it is important that you find one that fits your fancy and be prepared to work hard and do not forget to pray! MORE STORIES

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Regine Daniel Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Regine Daniel Makeup Artist College of Art and Makeup Design As a teenager I was very involved in my school’s drama group and my local theatre group. It was a form of escape for me and I absolutely loved the thrill that came with preparing for a production. Naturally, theatre arts was my favorite subject at school. One day, my teacher gave us an assignment that explored the various behind the scenes elements that went into a theatre production; lighting, costume, directing etc. I was given the task of creating a makeup look for each character for the play. Initially, I didn’t think twice about my assigned subject. I remember thinking to myself “Why is there a whole department for makeup? How hard can it be?” I remembered even feeling disappointed that I was not appointed something like costuming or set design. I sat down to do the assignment one Sunday afternoon and noticed there was one character that needed to be aged. “How can I age someone using makeup?” I thought. This question led me down a rabbit hole looking at countless YouTube makeup videos of people performing what seemed to be sorcery! Changing young faces old, creating bruises and open wounds where there were none, I’d never known this was possible – I had to try it! I recruited my little sister and convinced her to let me experiment on her face and to my surprise it worked, she really did look older and from then on I completely fell in love with makeup as an art form. After leaving high school I continued freelancing and practicing my skills while working full time. I had not fully made up my mind to pursue makeup as a career but just a hobby. I would do odd jobs here and there for local film productions while also doing makeup for special events (weddings, anniversaries etc.). I had no set goal. I was lost! Standing between what I thought I should do, which was going to university, getting my degree in something plausible enough that would allow me to attain a good enough salary at an office job, and my passion; makeup. I needed some kind of sign that this was the right path for me. At the time I was working at the Division of Community Development and Culture under a youth training program, I was recommended by a senior officer who knew I did makeup to work on a film set alongside an international crew. I remembered being very excited. It was truly a life. Shortly after I was all business. I had to learn how to do this professionally! Although I had formal training for beauty makeup, most of my special effects skills (aside from a workshop here and there) were self-taught. I needed hands on training, but how? I started researching schools and looking for the best way forward. With every option, cost was a major factor. I remember thinking to myself that no matter how much money I save it would be almost impossible for me to accumulate TTD140,000 in tuition alone, not to mention the cost of living in a foreign country. I had hit a roadblock! My aunt had suggested that I should apply for financial assistance at the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS). She was confident that I will get help. At that point I needed to have faith so I pushed through and sent in my application. To my surprise in less than two months I was contacted to move forward and was told I was awarded a Bursary. It was nothing short of a miracle. This was an extra push for me to achieve my goal. I told my parents and they were ecstatic. My family held my hand every step of the way. The Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) award generously covered half of my tuition, and by the grace of God and with the help of my family, community, church and friends we were able to raise the other half via fundraisers and generous donations. I felt reassured in knowing that I was not alone on this journey but had the support of people that believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Jump forward to December 2018, the day after Christmas and I’m packing my bags to start my new life as a student in Toronto at the College of Makeup Art and Design, feeling nervous, excited and optimistic about the future that lie ahead. I was set to start classes in January. This was my first time in Toronto and I had no idea what to expect. When I got off the plane it felt like I walked into an air conditioned room that was fully cranked up. There were some major challenges I was yet to face. The weather really took a toll on my health and did not make it easy for my body to acclimatize to the changes, and dressing for the cold was definitely a learning experience. I spent most of the winter sneezing and taking allergy medication, winter was not as glamorous as I expected it to be. Moving around in a large city was also quite challenging at first. I remembered getting lost on my way to school and back home almost every day to a point where I’d leave home very early just so I could find my way to school on time. After about two (2) months of always being lost I eventually learned my route. With my tuition being paid in full I was now tasked with the luxuries of adulthood, paying bills! While my parents supported me from home I still needed to help myself juggle the cost of living. I was able to find a job that fell right in my category as a makeup artist for the L’oreal owned brand, NYX. I had found my bliss! Doing makeup on clients every day, testing new products and helping

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Nkocy Fletcher Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Nkocy Fletcher Foreign Language Educator B.A Spanish I am Nkocy Fletcher, a Foreign Language Educator at Bishop’s High School, Tobago.  My career in teaching began in September 2018 quite fortuitously, but I am very pleased that I was given that opportunity to impart learning to young Tobagonians at my alma mater.  I had never contemplated, upon leaving secondary school, at the age of eighteen (18) years old, that my first occupation would be in the field of education, though I considered it quite possible. However, the opportunity presented itself and as recent university graduate, I could not afford (quite literally) to let the opportunity pass.  At Bishop’s High School, I was exposed to languages under the tutelage of Mr. Cornwall, Mrs. Arnold, Ms Frith, Ms. Dann, and Mrs. James-Stewart and their instruction  ignited my passion for foreign languages and fuelled me to pursue tertiary-level studies at the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus. There, I read for the B.A Spanish with Minor in International Relations and was able to graduate, thankfully, with First Class Honours. Presently, at twenty-four years (24) old, I am pursuing a Master of Education (Concentration in Curriculum) where it is my hope to positively affect curriculum development especially for foreign language students. My university studies were funded initially through a loan that my mother was able to secure from a notable Credit Union on the island of Tobago and this enabled me to begin my studies and covered areas such as tuition, accommodation, books and transportation (being a Tobagonian by birth). As I approached the end of my first-year studies, I received a call that would make my academic journey less uncertain, financially. This call came from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) and I was notified that I had been conferred with a Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Additional Scholarship in Modern Languages (based upon my C.A.P.E performance). I was ecstatic. That call was what I referred to as an “act of God” because thereafter, I was able to secure academic prizes that also boosted my ability to be able to cover all the expenses associated with university life. These were the Sylvan Bowles Bursary and the Republic Bank Prizes for Academic Excellence (for which I was a two-time recipient). My tenure at the University of the West Indies, was not only one filled with news of impending success but was punctuated with periods of self-doubt and other challenges. I remember distinctly one episode that would forever be etched indelibly in mind.  This episode happened after attending my first Spanish Literature course, one faithful Friday afternoon. I was so overwhelmed with not being able to understand my lecturer (a Spanish Native) given the pace at which he spoke. I wondered whether I could have succeeded at that level and questioned whether God had brought me this far for me to fail. It was in that moment that I remembered one gospel song penned by Vashawn Mitchell “Turning Around For me” and spent the rest of evening pondering on its words and assuring myself that this period of difficulty would be short-lived because God would never have brought me to this situation if he thought I was not prepared. Support systems are important at the university level and the Almighty God was my chief source of support. It is through faith in him and his mercies that I was able to remain grounded in periods of difficulty and to successfully complete my studies. Additionally, Shirley Fletcher, my mother, was a source of constant reassurance and help during our almost daily telephone conversations and by whose savings I was able to begin my university studies. I must express gratitude to my extended family, my aunts and cousins whose calls were a source of welcomed comfort during extended period of not being able to see them physically and whose pastries and dishes were greatly appreciated in times when I was too busy or fatigued to make myself a meal. My church family (members of the Church of God 7th Day) were another system upon which I relied for support and whose prayers and constant encouragement via messages and calls were always appreciated. Finally my friends at university, so numerous to mention, but especially Lorenzo London, Kern Grant, Kelsey Joyeau, Phillip Joseph, Kimberly Adams and Jonathan Alexander and my other Tobagonian colleagues who provided much needed relief after intense periods of academic devotion. Languages are fantastic. Languages open you to new worlds, new experiences, and new cultures.  To anyone that is thinking about studying languages, DO IT! It is just not enough in today’s competitive job environment to be monolingual; instead, one should boost their employability by being able to communicate in multiple languages. Additionally, let no one tell you that languages can only lead you to only one area of endeavour.  Languages can be used in Marketing, Education, Interpreting, Translating and Sports. Do your best and never let anyone say that you cannot achieve what you have set out to accomplish because it always seems impossible until it is done. I wish you the best!  Je vous souhaite la meillure!  Les deseo lo mejor! MORE STORIES

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Alyssa Crosby Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Alyssa Crosby First Officer – ATR Commercial FAA Pilot Program It was never my intention to become a Pilot, far more believe that it was attainable for me. You see, I came from a background of strictly business studies. How did I leap into the world of aviation? This can be attested to the well-known Bishop’s High School, Tobago Career Day. Yes…where every year, hundreds of students are greeted by professionals from all walks of life – Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Television Presenters, Chefs and that year, we were fortunate to have a Pilot-then First Officer but now Captain Jobe, from Caribbean Airlines. I’m not quite sure what drew me to the aviation booth but for me, it stood out the most. From the fancy plane models, to the robust flight simulator controls and the posters- I loved it all. Brave and “cool” as I might have appeared, my interest peaked more and more and with every question I threw at him about planes, came a response that sparked a flame in me. Ah ha! “I must become a Flight Attendant!”, I said. With a perplexed look on his face, he asked “But you were just talking about how great it would be to fly the actual plane, why the change of heart?” A million thoughts ran through my head. Me? A Pilot? A female? Financing? Subjects? It seemed too good to be true. I remembered the final words he left with me though. He said “It’s never too late. If it’s what you really love, You will find a way.” I remember that afternoon after being picked up from school by my father, my heart was pounding with fear. How do I tell my father that after 6 years of high school and studying business subjects all this time, I wanted to become a Pilot? I thought. “Daddy, I am changing my life. I want to become a Pilot” I announced. I held my breath…….. Patiently waiting for that “cuss” I was about to receive, I was taken aback when he softly replied “We’d make it happen.” Of course, many other people were not in support of my decision for many reasons, the biggest being the fact that I was a “female”. I would hear: A female pilot? You? No way- YOU would not fly me. I pressed on. Fast forward to 2015: I took up my first job out of High School, packing magazines in boxes! Boy was I excited! After all, it was me and my best friend that undertook the endeavour. After some time, we were offered employment at the Office of the Chief Secretary. I knew that I had to save every cent to supplement that dream of becoming a Pilot. After all, my family and I were not rich. After a couple months, along with the support of my parents and other sponsors, I was finally able to BEGIN the first phase of becoming a Commercial Pilot and attaining my private Pilot’s license. I was so excited. From renting on my own in Trinidad, to cooking my own food (by trial and error), it was a challenge I faced head on. It was not easy. The transition from being a business student to a student Pilot was challenging. My first day in Ground School met me with the monocular vision of business studies knowledge only, that later burgeoned into a wealth of knowledge in the field of aviation. As time went by, the theory became easier to understand and certainly, the flying became much more enjoyable, after a couple hard landings in the beginning. At the end of 2015, I graduated successfully as a Private Pilot from Aerial World Services Ltd. That was not the end though. I still had to complete my instrument rating (which would allow me to fly by reference to my flight instruments) and my Commercial Pilot’s license, which would allow me to become employable. I became broke. Well, certainly my dad did. After spending over $70,000 TTD to obtain this license, where was I going to get an additional $200-300,000 TTD from to finish?? I felt doomed but then I remembered God saying, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move – Matthew 17:20. I sat at home for some time. Later that same year, I received a phone call from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) stating that I had won a Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Scholarship. It was God’s perfect timing. In 2017, I used the scholarship to attend the Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology in Florida, to pursue my instrument rating and Commercial Pilot’s license. This prove to be one of my most challenging experiences yet. However, being so far away from home and having to embrace a new culture, new people and new experiences, all helped to shape my character. Along with additional financial support from my family, friends and other sponsors, I was able to complete my license and graduate successfully later that year. Fast forward to 2018: I was then back at home in Trinidad and Tobago. Having no job and no money, as I had exhausted all options, I knew I had to do something sooner rather than later. This led me to taking up odd jobs that were completely unrelated to my field of study, even at retail stores and stock management! Fast Forward to 2019: Discouraged as I was, I kept the faith that I would soon be employed as a pilot at Caribbean Airlines. I sent multiple applications at a time with high hopes and with a lot of prayers, hard work, determination, faith and support from my family and friends, I was hired by Caribbean Airlines in October 2019. Friends, especially my ladies, I encourage you, as small or big as a dream may seem, go for it. Even if it seems impossible, go for

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