(CNS Business): The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will host two small business workshops on Grand Cayman in May around the same time of its 42nd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors. A four-day training session to help contractors and artisans use computer software to work out estimates for contracts will be held 22-25 May at the UCCI and cost $125 per person. A three-day workshop on Food Hygiene and Safety Practices will be held 22-24 May at the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa and cost $100 per person. The deadline for pre-registration is May 14. 

Presented in conjunction with the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) and the Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI), the Computerised Job Estimation Tool (CJET) workshop will be a four-day training session designed to teach contractors and artisans how to use computer software to accurately work out estimates for contracts. This session will help participants determine the finite cost of a project based on a variety of factors and assist them to make more accurate and competitive bids for projects.  By learning to use the CDB proprietary CJET software, attendees will be able to manipulate the quality of the bid, see the impact of a given bid ratio/bid rate on the overall line cost of bill items and project earnings in excess of each line cost.

The cost per person for this programme is CI $125 and this covers the CJET computer software, lunch and coffee breaks. It will be held at University College of the Cayman Islands from 22-25 May, 2012. 

The Food Hygiene and Safety Practices workshop will run from 22-24 May and is scheduled to take place at the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa.  This three-day workshop will be a collaborative effort between CDB, the DCI, the Department of Environmental Health, and the Department of Agriculture. Training facilitators will highlight the critical issues and requirements needed to ensure good food hygiene and sound food safety practices.

Participants will get definitive and easy-to- understand guidelines for setting up effective hygiene and sanitation protocols and procedures irrespective of their level of involvement in the business of food preparation and service.  Teaching methods will be a combination of lectures, case studies and group class assignments.

The cost per person is CI $ 100 person and this includes lunch and coffee breaks.

Registration forms for both courses are available from Charmaine Moss at the Department of Commerce and Investment (cmoss@dci.gov.ky), or from any of the respective partners listed. The deadline for pre-registration is May 14.  All training sessions will run from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily and an opening ceremony will be held on Tuesday at the Westin at 8:30 am to launch both workshops.

CDB is the region’s premier development financing institution which was established by an Agreement signed in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1969. The Bank was established for the purpose of contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of the member countries in the Caribbean.

CDB’s Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) network contributes to strengthening private sector capabilities by linking people who have business and technical experience with businesses that need consulting advice and assistance.