Ministry of Finance and SMDF launch Workforce Development Program

PHILIPSBURG – The Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) has recently launched the Workforce Development Program (W4D), a program that offers free online courses until the end of the year via the e-learning website, Coursera. The courses range from high school level to Master's degree level and are grouped in packaged collections specific to professional and personal interests. The courses are on an invite basis and will be executed by the SMDF. All of the recipients of the Unemployment and Income Support programs for the SSRP are invited to participate in the opportunity. A similar program is also being run by Government of St. Maarten for civil servants and employees of Government-owned companies in order to ensure ample opportunity for the general public. In total there are 5,000 slots available for the courses in skills that can help you reenter the workforce and be better prepared for the current global standard. The collections curated by SMDF include courses taught by top instructors from 190 of the world’s leading universities and organizations. The courses will enable registered learners to master the most in-demand technology and business skills, work at their own pace with a self-paced learning model and earn university-accredited certifications in industry-vetted disciplines, all for free. Although we are experiencing a pandemic, it is important that the population be equipped with the resources and tools available to them to be independent and self-sustainable in the long term. One of the most empowering things that can be done for the people is to give them the tools and skills to be able to take care of themselves. Interested persons can participate in the program until the 31^st of December 2020 by visiting www.ssrp.sx/trainings and e-mailing a copy of their St. Maarten issued identification to training@smdf.sx