Bahamas News
SANDALS REGIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME TO BOOST EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARIBBEAN NATIONALS
~Programme is a central part of Sandals’ strategic plan to increase direct employment and boost inter-Caribbean exposure~
March 22, 2021 – Over the next four years, thousands of Caribbean nationals stand to benefit from increased employment and regional training opportunities as Sandals Resorts International (SRI) ramps up its long established Team Member Exchange Programme (TMEXP) and seeks to grow its regional team from 15,000 to 20,000 team members.
This follows the leading hotel chain’s recent announcement of new acquisitions, its expansion into a ninth Caribbean island destination and its anticipation of a full recovery of the regional tourism sector following the devastating effects of the coronavirus.
A central part of SRI’s future-facing strategy is the company’s Team Member Exchange Programme which sees the continued movement of Caribbean nationals to take up assignments at a number of the company’s resorts across the region. The Exchange Programme is an initiative through the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) and allows new recruits to become immersed in the Sandals and Beaches resorts’ culture, while existing employees are seconded to other resorts, providing an opportunity to travel and become exposed to new working environments and cultures, widen their skills and insights, enhance their career development and positively impact their job performance on return to their home resort.
The programme remains a clear indication of SRI’s commitment to regional integration and equally, its investment in its people, which has been met with much success through initiatives such as the Management Trainee Programme (MTP). The MTP identifies and grooms outstanding young recruits to become managers in the company through hands-on learning and training at resorts across the region. In addition, the company continues to carry out region-wide job recruitment exercises, offering continuous employment to Caribbean nationals and taking advantage of CARICOM’s Free Movement of Skilled Persons Agreement.
SRI’s Executive Chairman, Adam Stewart said the company is very optimistic about the future of tourism, and Sandals’ leading role in its full recovery in the region. “Sandals Resorts International remains a true depiction of the spirit of CARICOM. While in the short term we are focused on getting all our current team members back to work, we are also looking to the future and our mid to long-term goals. With our announcements for Curacao and St Vincent & the Grenadines, there is no doubt that opportunities exist not only for existing team members from our resorts in the Turks & Caicos, Grenada, Antigua, Jamaica, Barbados, Saint Lucia and The Bahamas, but also new recruits from these new island destinations. We are proud of our longstanding tradition of providing cross-border growth and opportunities for regional residents to both learn new skills and share their existing ones.”
Each participant’s unique training programme, including length of stay overseas, and learning objectives, is determined through collaboration with the home resort and the SCU. All participants will submit a reflective report at the end of their training and will also be assigned SCU coaches who will assist them throughout their training journey.
Stewart added, “At the core of our training has always been the process of immersive learning. Over the years we have built a strong and distinct Sandals culture which has made us a leading global brand. We want our people to travel to other islands, spend quality time and learn from their colleagues and other nationals. Each island is unique and so is each of our resorts. This Exchange Programme not only serves to strengthen our regional workforce but also to provide them with the kind of exposure and cultural sensitivity that positions them to be global citizens. We are therefore very excited to ramp up this programme and kick-start what we know will continue to be the model for regional training, development and employment.”
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas –– Due to measles outbreaks in countries in close proximity to The Bahamas, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is taking no chances and officially re-launched its Community Vaccination Outreach Programme, to keep the public aware of the contagious disease.
A press conference was held on Wednesday, April 23 2025 at the Ministry on Meeting Street, during which health officials also discussed the immunization and vaccination status locally.
Present were the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Dr. Philip Swann, Acting Director, Department of Public
Health; Dr. Jillian Bartlett, Senior Medical Officer; Nurse Gina Ferguson-Rose, National Immunization Coordinator; and Dr. Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Representative for The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
The update coincided with observance of Vaccination Week in The Americas, April 26 to May 3, 2025 under the theme ‘Your Decision Makes a Difference. Immunization for All.’ According to the Centre for Disease Control, the United States confirmed over 800 cases of measles this year, including a death in Texas, and cases in Florida, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Washington. This is compared to 248 cases for the entire year, 2024. In Canada during the first two months of 2025, there were 227 measles cases, with many requiring hospitalizations. Compared to 146 for the whole of last year. Last week, Belize reported two cases.
“Which is one of the reasons the Department of Public health is having this press conference to alert parents of the danger and the need to ensure your child is immunized,” said Dr. Darville.
He noted that many of the confirmed measles cases in the US are in states that have direct flights to The Bahamas, which can result in possible imported cases.
“Secondly, the country’s current Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization rates are just under 85 percent which makes us very vulnerable as a nation,” he said.
Dr. Darville said he was pleased to report that “there are no reported cases of measles in the country and the Department of Public Health along with our partner PAHO, is launching a community based door-to-door programme to promote public awareness and education programmes about measles, mumps and rubella, and to immunized those children that may have been missed.”
He reminded the public that measles is a highly contagious disease and the rapid spread is of great concern to public health. And, he reaffirmed that immunizations are free at the public clinics, urging parents and guardians to review their children’s immunization records. If they have any concerns, contact the team at the newly reopened Baillou Hill Road Community Clinic or the EPI center at 341-1741 or 341-1766.
“Remember these vaccines have been around for decades. They are safe, effective and are provided free of charge at all public health facilities,” said Dr. Darville.
Dr. Swann reinforced the message that the measles vaccine is a vital tool in protecting public health. It prevents measles, a highly contagious
disease that can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death, especially in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems.
“By achieving high vaccination rates, communities benefit from herd immunity, which helps shield those who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical conditions. The vaccine has played a key role in drastically reducing measles cases worldwide, contributing to efforts toward the potential elimination of the disease. Promoting widespread access to the vaccine is essential to safeguarding lives and preventing outbreaks,” he said.
He added, “We believe that combining these strategies can boost vaccination rates and help protect entire communities through herd immunity.”
Dr Swann advised the public that the Department of Public Health is re-launching its community programme. The first wave will be the teams of nurses and nurse extenders who will be wearing Vaccination Week in the Americas t-shirts. And, they would be in communities this week with a blitz being planned for the communities served by the Baillou hill Road and Fleming Street clinics this coming weekend.
Dr. Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Representative for The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands also stressed the importance of being vaccinated.
“The problem for us is that our vaccination coverage is dangerously low. What this means is that if a case of measles comes into The Bahamas, we are at a very high risk of that case spreading the diseases to the Bahamian population, particularly children.
“We run a very real risk of having a measles outbreak, which needless to say will also severely affect tourism.
“So, what can we do? The answer is simple. Ensure that we are vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine. This will protect the children and prevent spread of this potentially very severe disease,” she said.
(BIS Photos/Mark Ford)
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