Training in the Agriculture & Marine Resources Ministry Will Continue to be Integral to Successfully Achieving Goals

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Michael Pintard explained that COVID-19, no doubt, slowed down the Ministry's training initiatives for the first two quarters of the year.

'Nonetheless, training will continue to play an integral part in positioning my Ministry in successfully achieving its desired goals both externally and internally,' Minister Pintard said during his Contribution to the 2021/2022 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly.

He explained that the Ministry has embarked on a rigorous retraining, retooling and rebranding internal training initiative, for the 2021/2022 fiscal year, for its managerial, technical and line staff in the following areas: Leadership, Succession Planning, Coaching and Mentoring, Orientation into the Workplace for newly appointed officers, Performance Management and Evaluation, Customer Service, Communication in the Public Service and Conflict Resolution.

Minister Pintard stated that the Ministry will simultaneously take advantage of the ongoing training offered by the Public Service Centre for Human Resources Development (PSCHRD).

'Employees who are in need of upgrading courses will continue to be nominated through their Heads of Department. It is envisioned that these training initiatives will reinvigorate employees' zeal and enthusiasm to strive for continuous improvement in their duties, ultimately resulting in increased performance, efficiency and customer satisfaction.

He noted that it is also important to note that the Ministry is taking proactive measures to facilitate amendments to career paths at the Department of Marine Resources, Agriculture and Cooperatives.

'We are mindful that the completion of the career paths is required in order to process long deserving promotions. It is our hope that they will be concluded by summer 2021.'

Additionally, the Agriculture Minister stated that the creation of progressive career paths will allow serving technical officers to advance from entry to management level. It is also envisioned that the career paths will attract new officers with an interest in the various disciplines and afford them opportunities for advancement and fulfilling careers. Further, it is hoped that the career paths would encourage and motivate serving officers to aim for higher educational pursuit in one of the disciplines.

He explained that the Human Resources Section will continue to support the development of staff members through a new initiative called Human Resources Day, when staff members will meet with Human Resources personnel to discuss their development, performance, job satisfaction and career development in the public service.

Minister Pintard said, 'The Human Resources Section will consider a number of team building activities to encourage and motivate staff members, so that we can all remain steadfast in a collaborative effort to strengthen the agricultural and marine sectors in The Bahamas.'

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