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Bocas Panama B.E.S.T. Vocational Training Global Grant
Host Sponsor: Bocas Rotary Club
International Sponsor: Rotary Club of Summit County
Cooperating Organization: Give and Surf (located in Bocas; 501(c)3 registered in US and Panama
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Project Objective
The B.E.S.T. (Bocas Educacion de Servicio y Turismo) vocational training program aims to develop productive work opportunities and improve access to sustainable livelihoods for marginalized youth in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama. The program targets 18-30 year olds, primarily from indigenous and Afro-Caribbean communities, who were left without job skills after schools closed for 2.5 years during COVID. The program will provide hospitality skills training to meet the growing demand for trained tourism employees in the local community, with graduates receiving Certificates of Training to improve their employment prospects.
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Assessment of Need
The project addresses critical community needs identified through direct community engagement:
Primary Issues:
• High youth unemployment among indigenous and Afro-Caribbean populations
• Lack of basic high school education for an entire generation due to COVID school closures
• Local tourism businesses are unable to secure trained employees within the community
Community Validation: The need was validated through a successful 2023-24 B.E.S.T. pilot program, which graduated 73 students from 9 courses (60% indigenous, 35% Afro-Caribbean, with 70% of the students being women (32% with 1 or more young children)). Of these graduates, 64% either secured local employment or pursued further education. A November 2024 job fair drew 175 applicants and 19 local tourism businesses offering positions, demonstrating strong community demand.
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Project Design and Budget
Program Structure:
• 11 vocational training courses over 14 months (fall 2025 through end of 2026)
• 15 students per course (165 total students)
• 40-hour and 80-hour courses covering hotel reception, restaurant service, bartending, and customer service
• English language practice, job interviewing, and resume writing skills included
• 3 job fairs to connect graduates with local employers
Total Budget: $46,820
Key Budget Components:
• Course instructors (local teacher(s)): $16,500 (36% of budget)
• Class supplies and materials: $9,900 (21% of budget)
• Classroom rental: $4,400 (9% of budget)
• Transportation scholarships: $3,520 (8% of budget)
• Job fairs: $3,000 (6% of budget)
• Job coaching/internship placement: $3,000 (6% of budget)
• Registration and marketing: $2,500 (5% of budget)
• Business relationship development: $4,000 (9% of budget)
Cost per student/course: Under $300
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Local Rotary Involvement
HOST Sponsor: Rotary Club of Bocas del Toro, Panama (District 4240)
• Provide service practice opportunities in member-owned tourism businesses; internships, and employment opportunities for B.E.S.T. students, community outreach advertising the B.E.S.T. program
• Participate as required during week-long Rotary service trips (help in classroom, English practice, service skills practice)
INTERNATIONAL Sponsor: Rotary Club of Summit County, Frisco CO (District 5450)
• Organize service trips for hands-on training support
In 2024 and early 2025 Summit County Rotary recruited 29 participants (Rotarians and family members) from 4 Rotary Districts and 3 countries to participate in 3 week-long Rotary service trips to Bocas. Service trips involved providing hands-on classroom training and practice in service skills, English, job interviewing, and resume writing.
Partnership History:
The host and international sponsor clubs have collaborated since 2018 on community projects, with Summit County Rotary supporting the charter of Bocas Rotary Club in 2019. In 2023-24, Denver 31 Rotary, Summit County Rotary, and Bocas Rotary clubs successfully completed a District DDF grant for a pilot B.E.S.T. program.
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Sustainability
Long-term Sustainability Plan: The program is designed to become self-sustaining through local business sponsorship within 2-3 years. Local tourism businesses will assume program oversight and funding as they recognize the value of having a trained local workforce.
Community Ownership:
• 19 local businesses have already demonstrated commitment through job fair participation
• Local business owners (including Rotarians) will provide ongoing internships and employment
• Businesses will sponsor individual classes, host job fairs, and fund employee training
• Give and Surf (cooperating organization) will continue program administration through community partnerships
Proven Model: The successful 2023-24 pilot program and job fair results demonstrate community buy-in and effective program design. The measurable outcomes (64% graduate employment/education rate) provide evidence of sustainable impact on breaking the poverty cycle while strengthening the local economy through trained workforce development.
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