Ministerial Statement
Bermuda Government Training and Development Directory
The Premier, Dr the Hon E. F. Brown JP, MP
July 18th, 2008

Mr. Speaker, this morning, it is my pleasure to table in this Honourable House, the 2008/09 Training and Development Directory that was recently published by the Government’s Department of Human Resources.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of this Honourable House will note that, in her Foreword, the Director of the Department of Human Resources, Mrs. Carlita O’Brien, has stated that providing training and development for Government employees is of the utmost importance. The Government sincerely endorses and embraces this statement, and commends the Department for creating Training and Development opportunities for Civil Servants that are innovative, practical and unparalleled.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members should note that, apart from the time-honoured and essential training programmes that are offered each year to Government employees, in keeping with changing times, new programmes have been added; and these include:

• Blazing Service – a dynamic, interactive programme designed to ignite greater customer service;

• Diversity Awareness – a programme aimed at promoting recognition and respect for diversity in the workplace;

• Leading Change – a critical training programme, in a demanding and sometimes unpredictable work environment;

• Transformational Leadership – a programme designed to develop and sustain pertinent leadership style, communication strategies, conflict resolution, and organizational communication; and finally Mr. Speaker,

• Work/Life Balance – a programme that focuses on the well-being of employees to ensure appropriate work/life balance, which contributes to productivity and an improved quality of life.

You will note, Mr. Speaker, that there is also an Orientation Programme (on page17), which all new employees must undertake; and which aims to provide employees with essential information, including: Background and History of the Bermuda Government, Terms and Conditions of Employment, the Performance Management and Appraisal System and the Government’s Dignity at Work Policy.

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, the Civil Service is committed to ongoing training and development of all of its officers; and this is reflected in the numerous programmes offered in this Training and Development Directory.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Director of Human Resources and members of her staff for producing this comprehensive and valuable training manual; which offers Civil Servants training opportunities that will not only contribute to self-development and the improvement of the delivery of Government services; but will also guarantee that the Bermuda Government remains the Employer of Choice.
Thank you Mr. Speaker