Understanding the dynamics of the Public Service

SKNIS Photo: Participants engaged in an exercise

Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 25, 2013 (SKNIS): “Understanding the dynamics of the Public Service” is the theme of a one day training workshop for new civil service officers held on 21 March 2013. The one day seminar was held at the National Emergency Management Agency building in Lime Kiln from 8:30am to 4:00pm.

The training session comes on the heels of a series of presentations by the Head of the Civil Service Elvis Newton over the past weeks which addressed the transformation of the Civil Service.

The Human Resources Department facilitated the sessions with the stated objectives for participants being; to become more familiar with the principles and guidelines for Civil Servants, better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of professional Civil Servants and to outline the compensation and benefits available to civil servants.

According to Heather Richardson-Henry, professionalism plays a vital role in the workplace and, it is important to ensure good performance by all. She said, “If everyone is professional in the workplace, they will do the best he or she can at the job.”

She pointed out some important issues faced in the workplace, stating that employees are to conduct themselves in a manner beneficial to not only them, but also the job. One vital aspect mentioned was that of communication.

She stated, “Communication in the workplace is a key importance, as it helps in getting the job done in a timely and respectable manner.”

Torfrida Rochester, also from the Human Resource Department, touched on the aspect of punctuality, deeming it a priority aspect within the workplace. She stressed,”Employees should be punctual at all times. However, if there is a problem, word must be communicated to their respective offices at the earliest opportunity.”

Elvis Newton, head of the Civil Service said, sessions like these set the tone for what is expected in the service, and went on to say, they serve also to provide correct information to new officers. Newton also advised that such workshops and seminars will be ongoing, as efforts continue to transform the civil service.