First public servants graduate from CS college

(CNS): Two years after the civil service college opened at UCCI graduates were celebrating their achievements last month. Police and fire officers as well as public sector workers from planning, the economics and statistics office and the Cadet corps were among those who made history as the first graduates from the college. UCCI President Roy Bodden pointed out that as full time civil servants they faced greater challenges to study than other students.“Most of you – with full-time jobs and families – have surmounted challenges that most ordinary students don’t have,” he said. “You are now on the path to self-actualization and upward mobility, and UCCI is prepared to partner as you expand your knowledge.”

The graduation took place on Thursday, 15 December when five of the inaugural CSC graduating class completed the Associate of Arts in Public Administration programme – three with honours. They are: Jason Azan (Hons.), (Francisca) Elena Calzado (Hons.), Siscely Solomon (Hons.), (Myra) Joy Watson (Valedictorian) and Sidehan Whittaker – who received the CSC Spirit award. As part of their training, these graduates also completed the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) certification.

Several other civil servants also completed the ILM training including  Joyce Christian of the Economics and Statistics Office, Egbert Jackson of the Planning Department and Major Ricardo Henry of the Cadet Corps,
Senior Fire Control Operator Carson A. Ebanks, Fire Officer Shimar Harding, Lead Fire Officer Ian McLaughlin, Station Officer Gilbert Rankin, Sub-Officer Carl Christian and Sub-Officer Rodney Rivers, Detective Constable Beverley Sullivan and Constable Cardiff Robinson.

Deputy Civil Service College Director Andrea Fa’amoe explained that officials opted to include the ILM certificate as part of the associate’s degree curriculum because of the solid grounding that it provides in business, management and leadership; subjects that were felt to be key components of performing well in the civil service.

“It is hard to believe that we only started this programme two years ago. In addition to the dedication of our students, I believe that our choices with regards to content and delivery are key reasons that we were able to accomplish so much, including offering courses online, in so little time,” Faamoe remarked

The commencement address was presented by Franz Manderson, the chief officer in the portfolio of internal affairs but who started his own civil service career as a 16-year-old intern but who is now the deputy governor designate who said he hoped it would not be too long before he was able to celebrate further gains by the graduates. .
“What’s Next?” he asked them. “Another degree, a master’s, a doctorate, what’s your career plan? When is your next promotion? I hope that, before long, I will have the opportunity to celebrate with you on your next achievement.”

Meanwhile, the current deputy governor who will be retiring later this month noted the importance of an educated public sector. All government workers have a duty to be as knowledgeable as possible about the services they provide, Donovan Ebanks said. “How else can we be modern and efficient?” he asked.