Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands,  – The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) announces the official opening of its brand-new Student Lounge at the Grand Turk Campus. The event took place on Wednesday, September 26, on the campus grounds and was attended by distinguished guests, staff, students, and community members.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by the Honourable Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, who, in her remarks, applauded the leadership and vision that have been steering the College toward transformative changes. “Leadership makes a difference in any institution,” she stated, alluding to the positive strides TCICC is making toward creating a more engaging and enriching environment for its students.

Other notable attendees included Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chair of the TCICC’s Board of Governors; Dr. Candice Williams, President of TCICC; Dr. Hubert Fulford, Former President of TCICC; Reverend Frednor Toussaint, who dedicated the building; as well as Heath and Tamika Francis, the talented designers of the new lounge. The presence of past and present Guild Presidents, the Guild Vice President, staff, and students further highlighted the significance of this breakthrough in the College’s journey toward enhancing the student experience.

In her inspiring address, Dr. Williams expressed her immense pride in the launch of the Student Lounge, emphasizing its role as a critical element in fostering an inclusive and vibrant student community. “Today marks yet another milestone in our journey toward fulfilling the College’s vision of becoming the first choice for education and training in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond,” she remarked. “This lounge is a testament to our commitment to creating an environment where students can not only learn but thrive.”

The new Student Lounge is designed to be more than just a relaxation space; it embodies TCICC’s core values of excellence, inclusion, and collaboration. The facility features a study room, office space for the Student Guild President, a gaming area equipped for dart and pool enthusiasts, a cozy couch area, televisions, a reading nook, collaborative spaces for group work and a kitchenette. The lounge offers students an ideal environment to connect, collaborate, and unwind in between classes.

Ms. Saphina Blaise, Former President of the Guild, shared her heartfelt sentiments about this achievement: “To stand here today and witness that our voices did not fall on deaf ears fills me with gratitude.” Her words captured the spirit of the event, which was a celebration not just of a physical space but of the unity and collaboration that it represents.

As a key highlight of the College’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the student experience, the Student Lounge stands as a symbol of TCICC’s dedication to supporting its students’ academic and personal growth. “The student experience is at the heart of what makes a college valuable,” said Dr. Williams. “We believe that spaces like this lounge are key to creating enriching, empowering, and memorable experiences.”

As the students begin to enjoy their new space, Dr. Williams urged them to take pride in and ownership of the lounge. “May this lounge be a source of inspiration, relaxation, and pride. Enjoy it, cherish it, and let it remind you that TCICC is committed to supporting you in every way as you reach for your dreams.”

Providenciales, Turks And Caicos Islands, 6th October 2024 – Experience Turks and Caicos has partnered with the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence to offer two free training opportunities in Grand Turk on October 18th and 19th, 2024.  One session will focus on Product Development, and the other on Vendor Service Excellence.

The Product Development Tours and Guest Experiences course is a full day workshop which will teach participants how to reimagine and create new tour products and guest experiences that respond to today’s needs, and will also include other key factors that are necessary for success. Topics will include: Finding opportunities, knowing the trends, Pricing and adding value, determining product readiness, and getting experiences to market.

This workshop targets tour operators, attractions, experience providers, cruise destinations, and small tour operators.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – A cohort of 21 administrative professionals from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) successfully completed the first two days of a comprehensive four-day training series in Providenciales on Monday, 16th September, and Tuesday, 17th September 2024. The programme, which will conclude with sessions in Grand Turk on Tuesday, 1st October, and Wednesday, 2nd October 2024, is designed to equip TCIG administrative professionals with essential skills to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.

Facilitated by experienced government officials, this training series covered a wide range of topics critical to the administrative function in the public sector, including:

• Operating in an Executive Office Environment
• Effective Communication Techniques
• Policy Drafting and Submission
• Organisational Skills
• Standard Government Protocol
• Financial Oversight and Management
• Ethical Standards in the Workplace

Participants are required to complete all four days of the programme, culminating in a final presentation and examination. In addition to the core content, participants will also have exclusive access to the Effective Writing Skills for the Public Service course, offered by the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS). This supplementary training will further enhance their ability to contribute effectively to policy drafting and professional communication within the public sector.

This first cohort, consisting of 21 Heads of Secretariats and Executive Administrators, marks the beginning of a broader initiative, with additional cohorts planned throughout the year for all other administrative staff within the Public Service.

The training was facilitated by Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services and former Head of Secretariat, Ms. Julianna Musgrove, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Deputy Governor, and Ms. Sherrill Poitier, Director of the Training and Development Directorate.

Ms. Julianna Musgrove spoke to the tailored nature of the training: “This programme was carefully designed to address the specific needs of our administrative professionals. Every aspect of the training was tailored to reflect the unique challenges and opportunities they encounter in their roles. The sessions were highly interactive, incorporating discussions, exercises, and real-world scenarios that provided participants with practical tools for their daily responsibilities. Our aim was not only to inform but to equip them with skills they can immediately put into practice.”

Her Excellency, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Anya Williams, attended both days of the training in Providenciales, showing her continued support for professional development across the TCIG. She highlighted the importance of strengthening the skills of administrative staff:“The success of any government depends on the quality of its public service. By investing in the professional development of our administrative professionals, we are demonstrating our commitment to excellence and our dedication to serving the needs of our community. The Administrative Excellence Training programme is a vital step in our journey to build a more responsive, efficient, and accountable government. I am confident that this initiative will equip our staff with the skills and knowledge they need to drive positive change and ensure the long-term sustainability of our public service. I am delighted to see this training initiative come to life and look forward to witnessing the long-term positive impact it will have on the public service as a whole.”

The final two days of the training will take place in Grand Turk, focusing on further developing the participants’ expertise and solidifying their role in driving government efficiency. Upon successful completion, participants will be equipped to play a more strategic role in supporting the growth and professionalism of the public service, ensuring that TCIG continues to deliver high-quality service to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.