Senator, the Hon. Arni B. Walters TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: SECURING OUR FUTURE
The success of an organisation is closely linked to the quality of its workforce and one way of ensuring a quality workforce is through continuous training. The annual catalogue, published by the Training Administration Division, symbolises the importance which the Government places on developing human resources within the public service. It also highlights the government’s commitment to support the constant training and development of public officers since it recognises that it is only through continuous employee training and development that the country can attain its national development objectives.
Technological change is occurring at a rapid pace, characterised by the introduction of new technologies in the workplace in the form of new equipment and more advanced work methods. In addition, customers are expecting and demanding a higher, more sophisticated level of customer service. In order to cope with this changing work environment, we need to develop training strategies for our human capital to acquire new skills. This becomes even more important when applied at the national level. Barbados has managed consistently to attain a high ranking on the United Nations human development index. This laudable achievement has been attained largely as a result of the investment which the country has made in developing its human resources. That strategy has been successful and it has to continue. Job related training is any learning method that gives the new entrant or an existing employee the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to perform his or her job better. From its establishment in March 1967, the Training Administration Division has been responsible for the training and development of public officers. The Division has evolved from a staff of only seven persons to one of twenty nine officers. At all times it has sought to be responsive to the training needs of the public service, and demonstrate a continued commitment to that philosophy. The training programmes being offered as outlined are relevant to the developmental needs of the public service. The courses target public officers at every level and seek to develop the necessary competencies that would propel Barbados on its path to first world status. In addition, to the well established courses in management, finance, information technology and general skills that officers require to function effectively on a daily basis, there are a number of new courses being introduced: • Event Planning
• Business Process Reengineering
• Advanced Public Private Partnerships
• Procurement Management
• Caribbean Single Market and Economy
• A Practical Approach to Human Resource Management in the Public Service
• Business Communication
• Knowledge Management
I urge all public officers to avail themselves of the opportunities for training when they are offered in order to enhance their knowledge and skills as we progress through what promises to be challenging and rewarding times. Senator , the Honourable Arni B. Walters
Minister of State, Labour and Civil Service |
