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Turks and Caicos wants Blue Flag beaches, what that means

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#Providenciales, September 30, 2019 – Turks and Caicos –In order for Turks and Caicos beaches to gain the coveted Blue Flag status there are critically important benchmarks to first be achieved and then maintained each year. 

Under four overarching categories, the qualifications and expectations are listed and include a public education campaign about beach use, that water quality must be proven as healthy, coral reefs have to be monitored and there must be adequate safety measures including lifeguards.

FILE PHOTO – Press conference held in March

In March this year, Tourism Minister, Ralph Higgs explained that the Turks and Caicos is in hot pursuit of this prestigious distinction for its ‘Beautiful by Nature’ beaches.

“Turks and Caicos is an exceptional place and as the world discovers Turks and Caicos, the world is loving Turks and Caicos and so my government is being proactive in terms of taking steps to enhance environmental awareness to protect our sites and I think we will start, hopefully with about four or five sites that easily accessible, easily manageable and then it will expand throughout the length and breadth of the Turks and Caicos,” said Minister Higgs at a news conference to inform on the undertaking.

Tourism Risk Manager for the TCI, Brian Been is the lead on the Blue Flag dream for the islands.

The Foundation of Environmental Education or FEE manages the Blue Flag programme.

During that news conference, held at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, Lourdes Diaz, FEE Regional Manager explained the process will be thorough and it may take up to two-years to secure the first of the Blue Flags.

Supporting the FEE visit to the Turks and Caicos back in March was Director of Sustainable Planning for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Earlston McPhee, who said:  “A part of the Blue Flag program is that you have to be recertified every year, so you don’t get there and its done; every year you have to be recertified and the national jury who would ensure that the standards are kept at a high level will be visiting, sometimes a surprise visit to the site to ensure the standard remains very high.”

Currently, the Dominican Republic is the only Caribbean country on the 2019 list of Blue Flag beaches in the world.  The DR has secured 25 Blue Flags according to the FEE website.

FEE insists that 61 percent of travelers are interested in knowing the quality of the water within which they and their family members will be swimming. 

This statistic is obviously the driver for so much focus on Blue Flag sites displaying ‘bathing water quality’ and ensuring compliance with FEE standards on microbiological parameters like E.coli.

Requirements call for a beach that is clean, one which has a management committee, provision for recycling of solid waste, plans for dealing with traffic, transport to the beach, oversight of events held at the beach, sufficient receptacles and the qualifying site should have enough clean toilets with controlled sewage disposal.

Access by feral and domestic animals to a Blue Flag site must be controlled and there must be a plan to deal with pollution accidents. It is also important for there to be handicap access to the Blue Flag beach site.

Currently, Spain has the most ‘Blue Flag’ sites in the world; 566 beaches, 98 marinas and two boats.

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#tciwantsblueflagbeaches

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Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Vacancy Announcements

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The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC), the premier institution for higher education and training in the Turks and Caicos Islands, invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the following positions.

Join a dynamic team committed to educational excellence, innovation, and national development.

  • Student Support Officer – SSO/25

 Job Summary

The Student Support Officer is responsible for delivering comprehensive assistance to students throughout their academic journey. This role includes providing guidance on academic and personal development matters, coordinating support services, and ensuring that students have timely access to the resources, interventions, and referrals necessary for their success. The officer plays a key role in fostering a supportive, student-centered environment that promotes engagement, wellbeing, and academic achievement.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Public Administration or a related discipline from a recognised and accredited institution.

Experience

3-5 years relevant work experience interacting with clients/students from diverse backgrounds.

Location:                   –           Providenciales

Annual Salary:        –           USD45,992.00 – USD53,336.00

Annual Allowances:  –            Telephone USD1,200.00 and Transport USD1,200.00

 

  • Information Technology Manager  -ITMgnr/25

Job Summary

The IT Manager is responsible for the effective operation of the total Management Information System of the College, maintains an effective and up-to-date system by reviewing the technological environment, giving advice and making appropriate recommendations to leadership to facilitate optimum maintenance of the equipment and further development of the system.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of experience in progressively responsible IT leadership roles, preferably within the higher education or tertiary institution sector.

Location:                   –           Grand Turk

Annual Salary:         –          USD75,363.00 – USD87,395.00

Annual Allowance:      –        Telephone Allowance USD1,200.00

 

  • Lecturer IIB 

Job Summary

This role involves preparing and delivering engaging face-to-face and online lectures, developing course materials in alignment with curriculum guidelines, assessing student performance, and providing academic support. The Lecturer contributes to a dynamic learning environment by fostering critical thinking, enhancing student understanding, and supporting their academic and professional development..

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in law, politics or equivalent subject area from an accredited and recognised institution Teacher’s certification

Experience

3-5 years post qualification experience

Location:                   –           Grand Turk

Annual Salary:        –           USD58,873.00 – USD63,400.00

 

  • Admissions and Records Officer – ADMRO/25.3

Job Summary

The Records and Admissions Officer is responsible for overseeing the student admissions process and maintaining accurate academic records. This role enhances the overall efficiency of the Registrar’s Office by organizing, retrieving, and managing both physical and digital student records.

Minimum qualification

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Information Technology, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited and recognised institution

EXPERIENCE

  1. Minimum of 3 years experience in academic records or admissions administration.
  2. Familiarity with student information systems.

Location:                  –           Grand Turk

Annual Salary:        –           USD45,992.00 – USD53,336.00

______________________________________________________________________________

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Resumes with current contact information must be accompanied by:

  • a Cover Letter
  • two reference letters (one preferably from the most recent employer)
  • copies of educational certificates, and
  • a copy of the applicant’s passport photo page and Turks and Caicos Islands Status Card (where applicable).

Shortlisted applicants will be required to provide a police record.

Overseas recruits are eligible for a Housing Allowance of USD7,800.00 per annum, Grand Turk and USD10,200.00 per annum, Providenciales. A settling-in loan and 10% gratuity upon successful completion of the contract of engagement.

Applications should be addressed to:

THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER

TCI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

41 PRINCESS DRIVE, GRACE BAY

PROVIDENCIALES

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

 

WE MAY ALSO APPLY BY SCANNING THE QR CODE BELOW:

Hand delivered applications must be marked with the Job Title including the reference number.

Applications submitted without supporting documents will not be processed.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only persons shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:         19 December 2025

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TCI Hosts Strategic Defence Summit as Overseas Territories Regiments Strengthen Security Partnerships

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Turks and Caicos, December 4, 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands this week became the centre of regional security cooperation as senior defence leaders from across the British Overseas Territories gathered in Providenciales for the 4th Annual Overseas Territories Commanding Officers Conference — a three-day summit focused on strengthening capability, maritime readiness, and inter-territorial partnerships.

Acting Governor Anya Williams and Premier Charles Washington Misick, OBE, on December 1, welcomed Lord Lancaster, a key figure in the establishment of the TCI Regiment and the current Honorary Colonel of the Cayman Islands Regiment, for a courtesy call and high-level briefing session. Lord Lancaster joined Permanent Secretary for National Security Tito Lightbourne, TCI Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel Ennis Grant, and Commanding Officers from Bermuda, Cayman, Montserrat, the Falkland Islands, and UK defence representatives.

The visit, along with the wider conference agenda, signals a meaningful step forward for the rapidly evolving TCI Regiment, which has grown into a crucial national asset for disaster response, coastal security, joint operations, and resilience planning. Lord Lancaster’s presence carries additional significance: he was instrumental in shaping the Regiment’s formation in 2020 and remains a vocal advocate for expanding the capabilities of small-territory defence units within the UK network.

At the conference’s opening ceremony, Acting Governor Williams emphasised the importance of “collaboration and strategic leadership across the Overseas Territories,” noting that shared challenges — from climate shocks to transnational crime — demand a unified approach. The Permanent Secretary echoed this, highlighting increased maritime coordination and training pathways as areas where the TCI is seeking deeper integration with its regional counterparts.

Throughout the week, Commanding Officers participated in strategic discussions, intelligence and security briefings, resilience planning sessions, and on-site engagements showcasing the TCI’s developing operational infrastructure. The agenda also focused on improving interoperability — ensuring that Overseas Territories regiments can operate seamlessly together during disaster deployments, search and rescue missions, and joint maritime operations.

For the TCI Regiment, hosting the conference marks a milestone: it positions the young force as an active contributor in shaping the region’s security future rather than merely a participant. Leaders left no doubt that the momentum is intentional — and that the Turks and Caicos Islands are strengthening their role within a broader, coordinated defence framework designed to safeguard shared interests.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Michael Misick Rejects Government’s 60/40 Shift as Business Licensing Debate Reignites

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Turks and Caicos, December 4, 2025 – For the first time in his long political career, former Premier Michael Misick appeared on Drexwell Seymour’s “Financially Speaking” radio programme this week — and he used the platform to forcefully reject the Government’s new 60/40 business-ownership model, arguing that Turks and Caicos Islanders are once again being positioned to lose ground in their own country.

The interview came at a pivotal moment: the Washington Misick Administration has just issued a detailed press statement confirming that the controversial 100% Islander-only ownership requirement — praised by some as overdue protectionism and criticised by others as unconstitutional and discriminatory — was never Cabinet’s intended position. A “drafting error,” the Government now says, caused the blanket 100% clause to appear in the Business Licensing (Amendment) Bill, prompting a pause in Parliament and a full review.

This week, Cabinet reaffirmed its balanced 60/40 framework, arguing that meaningful majority control for Turks and Caicos Islanders must coexist with access to external capital, expertise, and investment partnerships. The Government cited international models, financing constraints for local entrepreneurs, and the need to avoid “harsh outcomes” that could unintentionally weaken local businesses or violate constitutional safeguards. It further pledged strengthened anti-fronting mechanisms, tighter oversight, and mandatory protections for local shareholders.

But Michael Misick isn’t convinced.

During the wide-ranging RTC interview, the former Premier dismissed the 60/40 model as inadequate and accused successive governments of diluting the rights and economic standing of heritage Turks and Caicos Islanders. He argued that fronting has flourished under the existing 51% rule, and that only full, uncompromised Islander ownership in certain industries can prevent locals from being reduced to symbolic partners with no real power. Misick described the Business Licensing Board’s disappearance, the rise of unchecked approvals, and the growing dominance of expatriate capital as evidence that the country is “losing itself, bit by bit, every sunrise.”

Seymour, a CPA and economic commentator, echoed concerns about fronting and asked whether the territory’s leaders were “afraid” to implement robust protections. Misick went further, accusing modern politicians of lacking political courage and failing to defend the long-term interests of heritage Turks and Caicos Islanders.

“Every time legislation comes to empower our people, there is resistance,” Misick said.
“When it’s something that penalises our people, no one objects.”

The Government’s clarification attempts to neutralize that narrative, insisting Cabinet did not “retreat” under pressure but merely corrected an error to restore policy integrity. Still, the timing — after months of public debate, stakeholder pushback, and ongoing reference to the Grant Thornton economic impact report — has only deepened suspicion among critics who say the Administration is wavering.

What is clear is this:
The Business Licensing reform has cracked open the deepest unresolved question in the Turks and Caicos Islands — how to protect a small population from economic displacement while maintaining an investment climate that supports national development.

With Parliament scheduled to revisit the Bill this month, the clash between political philosophy and economic pragmatism is now on full display. And as Misick made clear on RTC, this debate will define not just policy, but identity.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.  

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