TCI News
Employment Services launches job registration drive campaign, 18 events across TCI
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday June 26, 2018 – Eighteen Summer Registration Drives will be staged throughout the Turks and Caicos in an effort to capture a truer understanding of who is either unemployed or underemployed according to the Employment Services Department and Minister responsible for Employment.
The team, led by Deputy Premier, Sean Astwood today announced that efforts began in Grand Turk at Three Degrees since 9 a.m. and will continue until the end of August 2018.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment, Hon Sean Astwood at the press conference held this morning said the Summer Registration Drive is not about people being employed for the Summer, but rather a campaign promise and commitment to seek out individuals who are not working or are looking to have better, more stable jobs. The Deputy Premier said the launch during Summertime is aimed at getting high school and returning university graduates into their system.
“So it is permanent employment that we are seeking for you and we are trying to get as many persons in the country as possible who are interested in finding jobs, who is actively seeking a job that we have that information that can allow us to make that connection with potential employers who are looking for persons. It allows companies to get the necessary workforce that they need.”
There are currently 105 people on the unemployment register of the Turks and Caicos, of which 25% are individuals who work from time to time, according to Labour Commissioner, Edwin Taylor. 
“The real, genuine unemployment number is consistently appearing to us, over these last few months as we dig deep into the numbers, to be really a lot lower than what has always been floated.”
While an accurate unemployment rate for the Turks and Caicos continues to be elusive, Mr. Taylor explained that the Summer Registration Drive will assist in getting the statistics right.
“Part of our efforts this year in doing the registration drive is to come up with an accurate figure. We have seen the statistics come out from the National Skills Audit but it encompassed people who were not legal in the country…” Mr. Taylor added, “It’s our estimation that we are somewhere around below three per cent, even below two per cent (unemployment rate) because if we look at our current registration we are under 120 (people), so if you have 105 persons unemployed based on our statistics, that is a very low figure… that would rate far below anywhere in the world what we have here in the Turks and Caicos; but it just to justify those numbers to make sure they are an accurate number and so this will give us the opportunity to ensure that happens.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Alpheus Smith said the overarching goal is to get every Turks and Caicos Islander employed; and shared that often the problem lies with islanders who shy away from competing for jobs and often do not show up for interviews arranged for them by Employment Services.
“When we set up the interviews, we would like to encourage them to show up to the interviews. History shows that if ten persons were listed for an interview, sometimes only three show up. Then the same persons who didn’t show up for the interview they two weeks later show up at our office, still looking for a job. These are some of the challenges we are faced with…”
By Thursday, the Employment Services Department team will move into South Caicos for the Drive there set for the District Commissioner’s Office, beginning at 9 a.m.
The Summer Registration Drive is also in anticipation of the job boom expected for the island of Providenciales in particular; the Minister said the count on how many jobs are coming is a work in progress.
“Actually we are compiling that information because we have requested from the different Developers who are well into the process of their development – that is they have already gotten Development Agreements and already broken ground – to get for us their business staffing plan that will allow us to know exactly the number. Now, we have already gotten some of that information but we are compiling it and soon we will get that information out the public.”
There are a few more initiatives being devised and prepared to be tabled in Cabinet from the Employment Services Department, which will include two Public Private Partnership agreements involving the Young Corporate Alliance and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association.
The Ministry of Education was also named as a partner in developing a new policy to ensure Turks and Caicos Islands graduates are ideally absorbed into the job market.
The Summer Registration Drive press conference was held at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales.
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The Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”
TCI News
Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, successfully hosted a Product Development Workshop for tourism stakeholders from North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The workshop was designed to support tour operators, entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses as they adapt to the evolving demands of the global tourism industry. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and structured sessions aimed at reimagining existing tourism products and developing new, innovative, and sustainable experiences that are market-ready and aligned with current visitor expectations.
Throughout the workshop, attendees were equipped with practical tools and strategies to develop high-impact tourism offerings, strengthen
product packaging and pricing, assess market readiness, and enhance value creation. Emphasis was also placed on collaboration, partnership development, and the promotion of sustainable practices to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a fresh, competitive, and appealing destination. More than 20 participants representing tourism businesses across the islands took part in the training sessions.
“Experience Turks and Caicos has a responsibility to ensure that all communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from tourism. These workshops are designed to equip local businesses with the essential tools and knowledge needed to maximise the opportunities within the industry, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Candesha Mills the Product Development Manager at Experience Turks and Caicos said: “We are actively working on destination development by supporting our stakeholders as they reimagine their products and experiences. Workshops like this are critical to helping businesses identify opportunities for collaboration, create bundled offerings, and develop cohesive tourism experiences that align with emerging trends and evolving visitor expectations.”
The workshops were facilitated by Ms. Ambra Attus, who guided participants through strategies for designing distinctive and engaging tourism experiences that resonate with today’s travellers.
She said: “Product development is where destinations truly define their identity, and these trainings are designed to help operators in North, Middle and South Caicos create experiences that are not only market-ready, but meaningful, high-quality, and rooted in what makes these islands truly special. These sessions reflect a forward-thinking commitment by Experience Turks and Caicos to invest in their people and in the long-term quality of the destination’s tourism product. Aquila is proud to be your training partner.”
The workshop also featured the Invest TCI MSME Team, who were on site with an information station available throughout both sessions. Stakeholders had the opportunity to engage directly with the team, gain insights into the MSME Programme, and learn more about the range of support services, incentives, and resources available to assist business growth and development.
Experience Turks and Caicos commended participants for their commitment to investing in their businesses and contributing to the continued enhancement of the destination’s tourism product. The organisation expressed appreciation for the active participation and innovative ideas shared during the session, which are expected to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of tourism in North and Middle Caicos and South Caicos.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 5 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with
partner agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Silverado Wells in Five Cays. The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by Immigration and Border Services, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified an illegal concrete structure on the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, a Section 22 Notice of Illegal Occupation was posted on the structure. Following the failure of the responsible party or parties to comply within the prescribed timeframe, enforcement action was authorised.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
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News3 days agoThe Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”
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TCI News5 days agoExperience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism