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National Vocational Training School coming to TCI: “Priceless”

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR – January 28, 2020 — Let’s give credit where credit is due. For many of us, to often we have been disappointed by empty promises made by politicians. This very moment, I’m proud to be a Turks Islander. The recent announcement of TCI first National vocational technical school slated to open in September 2020 is brilliant.
Honorable Karen Malcolm, minister of education should be commended for her tenacity on this breakthrough. There has been previous dialogues of such initiative but it never matured. To my amaze, it appears the government is starting to listen to the cry of its people. 

I’m elated, and this will certainly be a win for this administration, all to the benefit of our people. Progress such as this, is an extremely important step in the right direction. 

It’s a two prong approach; Not only will it help to drive economic development, but also a work force for various businesses. Many of our youth are so gifted in different areas, and may have specific occupational career goals in mind. In such cases, they are better off at a vocational school than at traditional college or university and this offers them an alternative to secondary education.
If you look at most developed countries, secondary education has been a very effective tool with helping to build their economies. In order to make vocational education and secondary schools most successful, electing courses of study relevant to our long term growth and development will be of paramount importance. 

Guidance counselors will need to identify potential students early in their last year of high school so they can make a smooth transition. The proposed courses being offered make sense, and should be geared toward students specific skill set and shortcomings. There were two critical areas of study I noticed that were not listed. Agriculture and marine mechanics. Providing students with a much greater spectrum of vocational courses could capture a larger audience. 

For example; with the export of marine products being one of our bread and butter sector, the lack of opportunity for marine mechanics in particular, will be a huge missed opportunity. Also, if we are contemplating a path to future independence from Britain, why not educate our people now on agriculture natural resources and land management. 

For the past few years now, law enforcement have been searching for solutions to combat our growing violent crime rate. 
Initiatives such as this, is where a strong public/private partnership could be developed to include the government offering tax incentives for employers hiring ex-cons after completion of such courses. 

There is also a proposed youth development center to be opened in Grand Turk. This coupled with the technical school, certainly lays the framework for helping to deal with crime reduction, prison recidivism rate and delinquency.

As I mentioned in previous articles, there is no silver bullet to solving our complex crime problem. We have to continue to take a holistic approach. Like the old cliche, how do you walk a thousand miles? “ one step at a time”.
Ed Forbes,Concerned citizen of GT

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Sandals Foundation and Partners Install and Commission 750 Gallon Ultra-filtration Water Tank at Enid Capron Primary School

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, April 17, 2024 – “Thousands have lived without love, but no one has ever lived without water,” according to poet, W. H. Auden. More than 500 students and teachers at the Enid Capron Primary School in Providenciales stand to benefit from a 750 gallons filtration water tank system valued at almost US$15,000 courtesy of the Sandals Foundation, Beaches Turks and Caicos and SIP Water, distributers of ICON LifeSaver®. The system that was recently installed will be able to use harvested rain water along with its ultra-filtered system to provide potable water.

This project had SIP Water, which is the Caribbean Distributors for ICON LifeSaver®, install and commission the system which was handed over to the administrators of the Sandals Foundation adopted school. ICON LifeSaver® is a British company providing some of the safest, potable water purification solutions in the world through supporting organisations.

Paul Girling, Director of SIP Water says, “This system is able to change untreated, contaminated water into ultra-pure, micro-biologically clean drinking water.  Its multi-filtration system removes all micro plastics, bacteria, protozoan cysts and viruses to a minimum level of 99.99% without the need for any electricity or chemicals”.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services and Member of Parliament for the Five Cays area, Hon. Rachel Taylor was present as the system was commissioned. “This is a landmark achievement for the school and the community of Five Cays. This location is an emergency shelter and with the Atlantic Hurricane season not far away, having this in place will serve our students well and by extension, the community. We are grateful for the continued partnership with Sandals Foundation and Beaches Turks and Caicos in giving back to the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Taylor shared.

Beaches Turks and Caicos Managing Director, James McAnally shared, “this project is a giant step towards ensuring the basic necessities in our community are safe and sustainable.  We continue to grow and look at new ways to serve in the areas of education, the community and the environment. This tank will go a long way in helping to improve the quality of life of the children and faculty in the Five Cays community especially during times of disaster.”

Principal at Enid Capron Primary School, Sophia Garland elatedly shared, “our students’ health will be improved as they consume more water daily. This system will provide for us a level of sustainability throughout the school and the community. As an educational institution, we continue to celebrate partnerships with corporate entities that seek to support key infrastructural needs of the students, staff and wider community.”

The ICON LifeSaver® product is environmentally friendly. As a leader in sustainability, this will help in the reduction of plastic bottles. The filters are reusable and typically have a 1-2 year span. This is a patented ultra-filtration technology which is independently tested to the highest portable water standards.

 

Captions:

Header: Paul Girling (left), director of SIP Water, Sophia Garland (2nd left), principal of the Enid Capron Primary school, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, and Joe Lovegrove, Operations and Technical Director of LifeSaver gave thumbs up sign to the completion of the project.

1st insert: Joe Lovegrove, Operations and Technical Director for LifeSaver takes his time to insert one of the six filters that the filtration system that was recently installed and commissioned at the Enid Capron Primary School.

2nd insert: Enid Capron Primary School teachers share a moment with the ICON team following the successful completion of the installation of the water filtration system with Paul Girling (left) director of SIP Water and Joe Lovegrove Operations and  Technical Director for LifeSaver.

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TCI News

Nurturing Young talent: Experience Turks and Caicos welcomes new additions to the team

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Experience Turks and Caicos is fostering an environment where young talent can thrive and excel, and the recent additions to the organisation serve as a testament to that commitment.

Experience Turks and Caicos is pleased to welcome Miss Rothesia Williams and Miss Kristan Lightbourne to the Finance Department as well as Miss Oshin Whyte, who has been assigned a temporary role as Tourism Statistics Officer.

Miss Williams joined the team as an Accounts Clerk effective April 2nd, 2024 while Miss Lightbourne will take up the position of Finance Accountant effective April 15th, 2024.
In her role, Miss Williams will support the Finance Accountant in updating financial records, generating financial reports, reconciling bank statements and processing financial transactions. Miss Williams is a graduate of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and previously worked at the Waterloo Hotel Management Ltd, where she held the roles of Accounting Clerk and Senior Accounts Payable Clerk.

As Financial Accountant, Miss Lightbourne will prepare statements and reports and advise on financial strategy.

Miss Lightbourne previously worked as an accountant at The Shore Club where she oversaw and provided strategic guidance to various sectors within the finance department, including Cost Control, Audit, Accounts Payable, Cash Management, and Payroll and implemented and reviewed internal financial policies and controls to ensure compliance and efficiency among other duties. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from the Turks and Caicos Community College and is currently pursuing her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) certification in the United Kingdom.

 

Miss Whyte will be working temporarily with the team as Tourism Statistics Specialist effective April 3rd, 2024.She will be responsible for collecting and analysing data relevant to the tourism industry that would enable Experience Turks and Caicos to develop informed strategies to enhance the tourism sector.

Miss Whyte previously held the position of Interim Environmental Policy Coordinator with the Ministry of Tourism where she collaborated with the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources to ensure the timely delivery of the key objectives of the Sustainable Livelihood Program. She is a graduate of Oxford Brookes University with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Sciences and the University of Kent with a Masters by Research (Hons) in Human Geography
In welcoming the young women to Experience Turks and Caicos, Co-Chair of Experience Turks and Caicos Mr. Alvin Hegner said the future of the tourism industry centres around the youth.

“As we forge ahead in fortifying and expanding our organisation, the stewardship of adept individuals becomes paramount. Given the Turks and Caicos Islands’ singular reliance on tourism, we must foster sustainability by nurturing our youth, empowering them to evolve into the torchbearers of tomorrow who will carry forward the legacy of our current endeavours. I am genuinely enthused to extend a warm welcome to these young women as they join our ranks, eagerly anticipating the remarkable contributions they will undoubtedly make,” he said.
Miss. Williams and Miss Lightbourne will report to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Ms. Rufina Augustin while Miss Whyte will report to the Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Trina Adams.

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Government

Julianna Musgrove Appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary  

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Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands proudly announces the appointment of Ms. Julianna Musgrove to the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Ms. Musgrove’s academic journey is marked by excellence and dedication. She earned her Bachelor’s degree with honors in Hos

pitality and Tourism Management from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, demonstrating a commitment to academic achievement and professional growth. Currently, she is on the cusp of completing her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Development from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom, further enhancing her knowledge and expertise in her chosen field.

With over a decade of leadership experience in learning and development, human resources, and hospitality, Ms. Musgrove brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her new role. Prior to her transition to the civil service, she served as the Regional Learning and Development Manager at Sandals Resorts International, where she oversaw learning and development operations across multiple Caribbean nations. Her adept leadership skills have been evident in successfully spearheading change initiatives and development programs at an executive level.

Ms. Musgrove’s contributions extend beyond her professional pursuits. She has served as a Governor on the Board of Governors for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, where she chaired the Human Resource, Safety, and Compensation sub-committee, demonstrating her commitment to education and community service. Additionally, Ms. Musgrove is an Executive Member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Alumni Association, actively contributing to the growth and development of her alma mater.

Her exceptional achievements have garnered widespread recognition, earning her prestigious accolades such as the 2023 Caribbean Rising Star Award from the International Society of Hospitality Consultants and the Sandals Foundation Sentinel of the Year Award.

Reflecting on her appointment, Ms. Musgrove expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity to serve in her new capacity:

“It is with a profound sense of gratitude and humility that I assume the role of Deputy Permanent Secretary. I am eager to embark on this journey to serve my country with dedication and commitment. My faith in God sustains me, and I am immensely grateful for the unwavering support of my family, mentors, and friends.

This appointment is not just a milestone in my career; it is also a profound responsibility that I embrace wholeheartedly. With great optimism and enthusiasm, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Commenting on her appointment, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams remarked, “It is with great pleasure that I extend congratulations to Ms. Julianna Musgrove on her appointment as Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Deputy Governor, and I extend a warm welcome to her as she joins the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service.

As my office continues to forge ahead with various initiatives aimed at enhancing service quality and bolstering our capacity building endeavors, Ms. Musgrove’s role will be instrumental. Working alongside the Permanent Secretary, she will play a pivotal role in the re-establishment of the Training Directorate, spearheading the development of a comprehensive training program tailored to address skill gaps and developmental needs across the Public Service. Additionally, Ms. Musgrove will oversee the Employee Compliance and Appraisal functions, ensuring that performance is meticulously monitored, corrective measures are swiftly implemented, and commendable efforts are duly rewarded.

The appointment of Ms. Musgrove comes at a critical juncture, and her expertise and dedication will undoubtedly fortify our efforts to enhance the services we provide to the public. My office is committed to providing Ms. Musgrove with the support as she embarks on this new chapter, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact she will undoubtedly make as a valued member of our public service family.

Congratulations on your appointment, Julianna, and welcome to the team!”

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