ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Aruba SVT-20 Program has marked another milestone as seven young participants completed Phase 2 of the Sociaal Vormingstraject, following months of practical work experience, professional courses and personal development.
Social Affairs Minister Melvin Wyatt-Ras, together with Prime Minister Mike Eman, presented certificates to four of the seven participants during a ceremony recognizing their progress.
The seven participants who successfully completed Phase 2 are Hazel, Kock, Ponson, Ridderstaat, Tromp, Werleman and Yarzagaray.
Hazel, Ridderstaat and Tromp were unable to attend the ceremony because they are currently in Curaçao continuing their education.
Aruba SVT-20 Program Completes Phase 2
Participants in the Aruba SVT-20 Program previously completed Phase 1 in December 2025 after four months of intensive training at the Marine Barracks in Savaneta.
That phase focused heavily on discipline, guidance and personal development under the supervision of Team O&T of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps.
Phase 2 then provided participants with a different form of preparation.
Over eight months, the young people combined internships at local companies with courses designed to strengthen skills they can use in employment and everyday life.
The training covered subjects including communication, financial management, customer service, personal development, leadership and digital skills.
Internships Provide Practical Experience
The combination of classroom learning and workplace internships gave participants an opportunity to apply what they had learned in real professional environments.
They were expected to take responsibility, adapt to workplace expectations and develop skills that could help them as they move toward employment or further education.
The program aims to give young people more than theoretical knowledge by allowing them to experience workplace responsibilities firsthand.
Those practical experiences complement the discipline and personal development introduced during the first phase of the program.
Minister Congratulates Participants
Wyatt-Ras congratulated the participants for completing Phase 2 and encouraged them to continue building on the foundation developed during the Aruba SVT-20 Program.
The minister said the certificates represent the work and commitment participants demonstrated throughout this stage of their development.
He also emphasized that progress made by a young person can have a wider positive effect on their family and community.
Organizations and Mentors Recognized
Special appreciation was extended to Social Formation coordinator Jessica Ras and Shamila Williams for her contribution to the Phase 2 courses.
Thanks were also given to Commander Buijs, Captain Ligtvoet, the O&T Arumil personnel and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps.
The government also recognized the mentors, professionals, companies and organizations that provided guidance, training and workplace opportunities during the participants’ journey.
Their involvement helped create the combination of structured learning and practical experience that forms an important part of the program.
SVT-21 Begins New Journey
As the graduates of the Aruba SVT-20 Program move forward, another group of young people has already started its own development journey.
The new SVT-21 group began the program this week.
The transition from SVT-20 to SVT-21 continues the program’s broader effort to help young people develop discipline, workplace experience, practical skills and greater confidence as they prepare for their next steps in education or employment.
