PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Monday, June 8th, 2009 – The Office of Public Service Management (OPSM) through the UK National School of Government is hosting module two of its leadership development programme this week. The programme, a new initiative marking a change in the way the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service develops its future leadership talent, is a key component in OPSM's Vision 2012 plan.
The course aim is to nurture the talent and potential of leaders who will play a key role in helping transform the public sector; and underlines the importance of capacity building in bringing about this transformation. The leadership roles each of senior member exercise are multi-facetted, requiring them to balance the day-to-day needs of government, with the longer term requirements of policy development and planning.
In short, the reactive and the strategic professionalism of the public service encompasses the skills and knowledge required in the performance of these tasks; but it also encompasses the values, attitudes and behaviour that make up the profile of an effective and dedicated public servant.
Held at the National Environmental Centre on Lower Bight Road in Providenciales, participants there will build on from that which was learnt this past January, and present ‘business critical projects’ that were part of the course to demonstrate that the put to practice that which was learnt. Said programme moves to the nation’s capital Grand Turk next week, affording top managers there the opportunity to continue their training. Julia Hockley and Sue Treharne are the human resource consultants from the National School of Government in the UK facilitating the leadership training.
Mrs. Treharne said that though building on from module one, module two is indeed a separate module and is about driving towards achieving Vision 2012. “Its about looking at change and how you as leaders are responsible for leading and driving change; driving change to improve public service and to give you the wherewithal to take your teams forward to reach Vision 2012.”
Dr. Hubert Fulford, Executive Permanent Secretary of the OPSM said that leadership is very critical in any country and in any organization; and that those that are partaking of the course are very gifted, as they have a lot of offer to the public service. “Don’t let anybody fool you, you are doing a good job; change is critical to this, and sometimes there are many people who cannot accept change and that makes it even more difficult for us as change leaders.”
“This course, this programme - has been thought through very thoroughly and it’s based on the ideas that you have given back to Sue [Treharne], and Cheryl [Jones] and other members of team,” said Dr. Fulford. “The needs that are expressed for the growth and development of the public service in the Turks and Caicos or more so, your own development; because if you’re not developing individually, you cant impart any new knowledge and information to the people you are leading.”
Moreover, the Executive Permanent Secretary went on to admonished them to try at all times to be at the cutting edge of their trade; stating that “if that change is to be realized, we have to be a progressive cadre of people and pursue all avenues of learning that comes our way - that way we can stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone that is coming into the Turks and Caicos to live and work.”
END
