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National Careers Week Event

National Careers Week
Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (centre) cuts the ribbon to launch the National Careers Week and Skills Competition on Thursday ( February 1) at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. State Minister for Education, Hon. Floyd Green (second left), looks on. Others observing (from left) are HEART Trust/NTA National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 construction student, Paul Staple; Interim Managing Director, HEART Trust/NTA, Dr. Janet Dyer; and Chairman of HEART Trust, Edward Gabbidon.

Students to Showcase Technical Skills at National Careers Week Event.

More than 6,000 students will put their technical abilities on display at the 2018 National Careers Week (NCW) and Skills Competition to be held from February 17 to 23 at the National Arena.
Under the theme ‘Building the Future by Guiding the Present, the initiative, organised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information in collaboration with public- and private-sector partners, aims to promote and introduce new skills and entrepreneurial opportunities to youth.
It will feature Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students in the areas of construction and building technology; manufacturing and engineering technology; creative arts and fashion; and transportation and logistics.
Among the skills to be showcased are welding, electronics, visual merchandising, graphic design technology, computer-aided design and cooking.
This year’s staging will see the introduction of a suite of skills, including freight forwarding and logistics, mobile application development, digital animation, robotics and mechatronics.
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, in hailing the staging of the event, said it emphasises the importance for today’s youth to be trained and certified in specialised skill areas that are in demand in an increasingly competitive labour market.
He was speaking at the press launch on February 1 at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston.
“One of the challenges we have is ensuring that we are properly aligned to new economic opportunities that are available. Out of the 75,000 students enrolled in the tertiary sector, we have over 42 per cent pursuing the social sciences in management and accounts, which means that those graduates may have difficulty finding jobs,” the Minister pointed out.
Senator Reid said the National Careers Week and Skills Competition is part of a Government-led intervention aimed at transforming Jamaica into a skills-driven society.
“(It) is being positioned as the premier event to prepare citizens for their future as they develop new and emerging skills, whether to further education, business or career goals,” he noted.
Other activities for the week include the Jamaica Library Service Expo; Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs’ (JACE) Annual General Meeting/School Career Expo, Leaders Summit and Youth Forum; as well as the Entrepreneurial Expo and Competition.
Other partners in the staging of the event include HEART Trust/ NTA, World Skills, Career Advancement Programme (CAP), and Junior Achievement (JA) Jamaica.

Environmental Wardens in Primary Schools

Environmental Wardens
Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left) is about to place an empty plastic bottle in a recycling bin, during the launch of the Environmental Wardens Programme in schools on February 1 at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. From right are State Minister for Education, Hon. Floyd Green (right); Environmental Warden, Ricardo Gouldbourne; Chairman of Recycling Partners of Jamaica Limited (RPJL), Lucille Brodber; and Environmental Warden, Samantha Wilson.

50 Environmental Wardens to be placed in Primary Schools.

Fifty environmental wardens are to be placed in primary schools in Clarendon and Manchester under a pilot programme involving the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, and Recycling Partners of Jamaica Limited (RPJL).
The wardens, who have already been trained, will have responsibility for managing the collection of plastic bottles in the institution they have been assigned.
Education Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, said the Environmental Wardens Programme is an important part of Jamaica’s national development plan, Vision 2030, which speaks to cultivating a healthy environment.
“Lessons learned in school lay the foundation of habits for a lifetime, and among the more important lessons we can teach our children, is the importance of recycling, whether it is bottles, paper or (tin) cans. School recycling programmes such as this one can demonstrate the power of how small actions by many can achieve big things,” he pointed out.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of the initiative on February 1 at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston, where the parties signed a memorandum of understanding (M\OU).
Chairman of RPJL, Lucille Brodber, said the joint venture is a signal of public- and private-sector commitment to protecting and sustaining Jamaica’s environment and its beauty.
“We anticipate that the programme will be expanding to the Ministry’s other regions, so that other schools can be involved in this programme,” Ms. Brodber noted.
The Environmental Wardens Programme aims to educate youth about the importance of recycling and help them develop responsible attitudes towards the environment.
It is being delivered through the Work to Learn, Earn, Give, Save (LEGS) programme with training, assessment and certification of the environmental wardens facilitated by the HEART Trust/NTA.
Supervision of the wardens will be provided through the LEGS programme. The RPJL will ensure that schools have enough receptacles and that they are placed at strategic points to facilitate collection of plastic bottles.
RPJL is the designated national recycling entity and a registered charity with a mandate to separate and remove plastic material at the source to prevent these from polluting waterways, gullies and landfills.
Between March 2014 and December 2017, RPJL has removed 4.3 million pounds of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles from the environment.

HIV Case Base Surveillance Workshop

HIV Case Base Surveillance Workshop

As a core facet in strengthening Health Information Systems in the OECS region, the HIV/TB Elimination project will be rolling out the HIV/TB/STI Clinical Management Software for Case Base Surveillance.
The initiative aims to standardise Case Base Surveillance reporting in the region. A fundamental step in the process is to re-launch Case Base Surveillance, which is being piloted in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
A workshop was therefore, held to officially re-launch HIV Case Base Surveillance. At that workshop, stakeholders were sensitised on the theory and practice of the newly developed HIV Clinical Management module (HIVMS V2), which has the capacity for integrating HIV/STI/TB surveillance in the region.
The main goals of the HIV Clinical Management system are as follows:

  • To improve the HIV/AIDS patient monitoring within treatment sites
  • To help fulfill national and regional and donor funding reporting obligations
  • To enforce adherence to standards, and correct substandard practices, which will facilitate quality assurance in the HIV health information system.

The workshop sought to reintroduce and build upon the progress of Case Base Surveillance in the region. It endeavoured to chart the way forward for Case Base Surveillance and identify mechanisms of sustainability for individual countries and the OECS.
The objectives of the workshop are as follows:

  • Introduce the HIV Clinical Management Module.
  • Provide an understanding of the progress and challenges of Case Base Surveillance in the region.
  • Highlight the regional plans for Case Base Surveillance implementation.
  • Understand the key surveillance and M&E indicators for regional case base surveillance.
  • View a live demonstration of the capabilities of the HIV Clinical Management Module.
  • Launch the HIV Clinical Management Information Module.
  • Develop Country plans for the Implementation of the case base surveillance system.
  • Ensure the sustainability of case base surveillance under the continuation grant.

The re-launch took place on Monday, 29th January, at the Beachcombers conference room from 9:00 a.m.
The system is being re-launched in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as there was a previous launching in Dominica, however due to the passing of hurricane Maria in 2017, further work on the project was not feasible in that country.
HIV Case Base Surveillance Workshop
The OECS Global Fund HIV/AIDS TB Elimination project is a multi-country grant targeted at aiding 6 OECS (SaintVincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda), countries move toward the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. The 90-90-90 targets are set to be met by 2030, and aim to have 90% of persons living with HIV knowing their status, 90% of those tested positive being linked to treatment and care and 90% of positive persons attaining viral suppression.

National Security offices closed for Carnival

Edmund Dillon

Ministry of National Security offices closed Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

The Ministry of National Security wishes to advise that its offices located at 31-33 (Temple Court 1) and 52-60 (Temple Court 2), Abercromby Street, Port of Spain will be CLOSED to the general public on Monday 12 February, 2018 and Tuesday 13 February, 2018 (Carnival Monday and Tuesday).
The following Immigration Offices will also be closed on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, with the exception of ALL Port Operations in Trinidad and Tobago:
1. No. 67 Frederick Street, Port of Spain
2. No. 135 Henry Street, Port of Spain
3. Government Plaza, No. 3–9 Richmond Street, Port of Spain
4. No. 2 Knox Street, San Fernando
5. D’Marrie Hill, Guaico Main Road, Sangre Grande
6. 2-3 Gaston Street, Gaston Courts, Chaguanas
7. 14 Richardson Street, Point Fortin
8. Agricola Credit Union Building, Plymouth Road, Scarborough, Tobago
Official business will resume at the above locations on Wednesday 14 February, 2018.

The Ministry regrets any inconvenience that may be caused.
Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of National Security

SLTA presents at New York Times Travel Show

New York Times Travel Show

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) participated in the 15th New York Times Travel Show held at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center in New York City, from Jan. 26 – 28.

The New York Times Travel Show is the largest consumer travel trade show produced in the United States and featured over 150 destinations. The Travel Industry Conference took place on Jan. 26 and was dedicated to members of the travel trade.
The SLTA was one of 33 destinations invited to present at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s “Focus on the Caribbean” conference. The theme of the trade conference was “The Best Way to Support the Caribbean is by Continuing to Send Your Clients.” The goal was to inform the hundreds of media and travel trade representatives present that the Caribbean is open for business. Destinations were invited to provide updates on state of readiness. Richard Moss the SLTA’s sales manager with responsibility for trade provided the destination’s update which included the latest developments in accommodation, diversity in activities, and the Soleil Summer Festival.
There was a question and answer session at the end of Focus on the Caribbean which gave destination representatives the opportunity to engage participants. In his response to a question which dealt with the need for more cultural and heritage experiences for visitors, Sales Manager for Trade, Richard Moss, explained that the destinations all have rich cultures histories and experiences.
“Our tagline” ‘Let Her Inspire You’ speaks to the ability of the destination to fulfil the needs of any discerning traveler, offering wonderful experiences which continue to inspire,” he said.
Jan. 27 and 28 were open to consumers and two of the island’s resorts Ti Kaye Resort and Spa and Boucan by Hotel Chocolat partnered with the SLTA to showcase the destination, fielding questions from hundreds of trade professionals and travelers interested in Saint Lucia.
Throughout the three days, the SLTA conducted many one on one interviews with trade professionals who were all interested in how they could partner with the SLTA to provide a more tailored experience for their clientele.

Dominica welcomes MV Mein Schiff 3

MV Mein Schiff 3

Dominica welcomed the MV Mein Schiff 3 of TUI Cruises on Sunday January 28, 2018. The ship brought well over 2000 passengers to the destination’s shores.  This was the first major cruise call to Dominica and the first call to the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth post Hurricane Maria. Dominica’s ability to welcome visitors to the island after the level of devastation experienced just over four months ago has been described as an incredible achievement and has instilled much hope among its citizens and stakeholders within the tourism sector.

To date, the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal has invested over $3 million on restoration of access, rehabilitation and upgrading of sites, and clean-up of debris post Hurricane Maria. With support from the Ministry of Public Works and Ports, Forestry, Parks and Wildlife Division, National Employment Programme, Dominica Solid Waste Corporation, and many other stakeholders in the public and private sector, the destination was prepared to welcome visitors across the island at various natural sites.

Passengers of Mein Schiff 3 engaged in many of the island’s shore excursions which included tours to the famous Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Twin Falls, Bois Cotlette Estate, Titou Gorge, Whale Watching tours and the island’s unique therapeutic black sand Mero Beach. The passengers all echoed the same sentiments stating that their experience was “Awesome and Enjoyable!” The passengers also expressed feelings of satisfaction in having contributed towards the economic and rebuilding efforts of destination Dominica.  The call of Mein Schiff 3 created an opportunity to contribute to the economy as vendors, taxi drivers, tour operators, tour guides and many other tourism stakeholders were impacted by Hurricane Maria.  This call of Mein Schiff 3, resulted from a familiarization visit by executives of TUI Cruises to the island in December 2017 to assess the destination’s readiness for cruise activity. The MV Mein Schiff 3 is expected to make five (5) additional calls to the island during the 2017/2018 cruise season.

A series of cultural performances were organized throughout the day to ensure a favorable welcome experience to the passengers of Mein Schiff 3. A brief ceremony to include presentation of a plaque by the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Robert Tonge to the ship’s captain and staff in appreciation for the first post Maria call to Dominica, also formed part of the day’s activity. Tourism officials focused their efforts on ensuring a safe, secure and enjoyable experience for the cruise passengers.

These included ensuring the islands sites and attractions were accessible and ready for cruise visitors, rehabilitation of the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth to receive cruise vessels, and clean-up of the city to receive our very special cruise visitors.  The Ministry of Tourism & Urban Renewal and the Discover Dominica Authority is thankful for the cooperation of all tourism stakeholders in playing their part to ensure a welcoming and enjoyable experience for cruise visitors to the destination.

TEECA applications open

TEECA

Applications open for the Trade Enhancement in the Eastern Caribbean project!

The Trade Enhancement for Eastern Caribbean Project (TEECA) has been officially launched at the Consular Training Center in Martinique. This new programme aims at fostering trade among the Member States of the OECS. Applications are open from February 1st to 28th and will conclude with the selection of 30 businesses which will benefit from a two year tailored programme.     

The OECS Commission, the Chamber of Commerce of Martinique (CCI Martinique), the Caribbean Export Development Agency and the Collectivity of Martinique officially launched the Trade Enhancement for Eastern Caribbean Project (TEECA) at the Consular Training Center in Martinique. The project pursues four objectives:

  • Reinforce trade exchanges within the Caribbean region
  • Tackle exportation challenges
  • Boost companies export products
  • Connect companies in a community

The TEECA Project is coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce of Martinique and co-funded by INTERREG Caraïbes. It targets businesses based in the OECS Member States, including Martinique, willing to start exporting in the region. It reflects the strong political willingness conveyed by the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Martinique, Philippe Jock.

“The Chamber of Commerce of Martinique has worked closely in collaboration with its Caribbean partners, the OECS Commission and the Caribbean Export, to design the TEECA project that would act on the real impediments to the development of commercial exchanges in the Caribbean and would foster the conception of joint solutions and innovative products and services with a high-added value and a large export potential” said Mr. Jock.

Allyson Francis, acting Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) explained that the TEECA project is the result of a long-term commitment from all stakeholders.

“Caribbean Export is very pleased to partner with the lead of this project CCI Martinique and the OECS . Today’s launch signifies culmination of efforts between the partners over several years putting this project together” said Ms. Francis.

Different industries have been identified as priority sectors : agro-processing industry, innovation technologies, environment, music as well as the fashion industry. The programme is tailored to facilitate mutual knowledge of each market, regulations, policies as well as to enable connection among potential business partners.
The Director General of the OECS Commission, Dr Didacus Jules stated that this is a major opportunity to enhance the potential of Caribbean businesses and to catalyze competitiveness.

“The TEECA Project seeks to build those partnerships that will pool our competencies and create the economies of scale that will enable us to hold our own in a world of relentless and brutal competition.” said Dr. Jules.

The Director General urged all entrepreneurs of the region to take up the opportunity.
Entrepreneurs can download the application form on the website of the Chamber of Commerce of Martinique and submit it to the following email address before February 28, 2018:  teeca@martinique.cci.fr.
The selection process will result in 30 businesses entitled to two year group and individual assistance aiming at making their export ambitions and projects a reality.  

Flag Raising Ceremony for Grenada's Independence

Flag of Grenada

Flag Raising Ceremony in honour of Grenada’s 44th Anniversary of Independence.

On the occasion of the 44th Anniversary of Independence of Grenada, the Director General of the OECS invites you to attend a flag raising ceremony to commemorate this milestone at the OECS Commission, Morne Fortune, Castries on Wednesday, 7th February 2018 from 8:30a.m. to 9:00a.m.
What: 44th Anniversary of Independence of Grenada
When: Wednesday, 7th February 2018 at 8:30am
Where: OECS Commission, Morne Fortune

Barbados new petroleum prices

gas price

New Petroleum Prices as of midnight, February 4th, 2018.

Consumers will pay less for gasoline, and more for diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), from midnight, Sunday, February 4.
The retail price of gasoline will move from Bds$3.35 per litre to $3.29, a decrease of six cents per litre. The price of diesel will move from Bds$2.57 to $2.63, six cents more. Kerosene will now retail at $1.43 cents per litre, up from $1.31. Meanwhile, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will now retail at Bds$173.33 per 100 lb cylinder, up from Bds$170.42, an increase of $2.91.
The price of the 25 lb cylinder is now $48.43, an increase of 72 cents, while the 22 lb. cylinder will cost $42.79, up by 64 cents. The price of a 20 lb cylinder has moved from $38.31 to $38.90, an increase of 59 cents.
Division of Energy

Rawl Lewis Appointment as Windies Manager

Rawl Lewis

Grenada Government Commends Rawl Lewis Appointment as Windies Manager.

The Grenada government says it is confident new West Indies Manager Rawl Lewis will be a major influence attempting to improve the fortunes of the regional side as it prepares to enter ICC World Cup qualifiers.
News has surfaced in the region that Lewis, a former Grenada Windward island and West Indies leg spinner, has been appointed to the position, replacing former pacer Joel Garner.
Lewis, who has been employed with CWI for a number of years since retiring from cricket, was the manager of the successful World T20 run in 2016.
“We are pleased with this appointment and on behalf of the government and people of Grenada, we express hearty congratulations to Lewis”, said Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.
“Lewis has been a symbol of discipline and a hard worker and motivator and we believe he would be a major source of much needed motivation for a battered side which lost the Test series in New Zealand 2-0, the ODI series 3-0 and the T-20 series 2-0”.
Lewis has five Test matches, 28 One Day Internationals, and has played a single T20 International between 1997 and 2008.
He was part of the WICB team which implemented the programme for the Under-19s which won the World Cup and has been the coordinator for training and development of first-class umpires in the region.
“All Grenada must be proud of this son of the soil who brings a wealth of playing and administrative experience to the regional set-up,” Prime Minister Mitchell said.
The Windies will head for Zimbabwe soon to compete in the ICC World Cup qualifiers carded for March.
They have been seeded as the top team in the 10-team competition, with the top two going on to the major World Cup tournament, in England in 2019.
 

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