Some 28 more delegates from the Caribbean are taking the five-day training course in leadership and strategic planning for disaster risk reduction at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Centre for Applied Marine Studies, Paraquita Bay this week.
Five of the participants attending the course, which is running from 23-27 May, are from the British Virgin Islands. A further 27 persons, including three from the BVI, were trained in the first cohort from 2-6 May, also conducted at the College’s Marine Centre.
The training has been made possible with funding from the Australian Agency for International Development through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Dean of Workforce Training at HLSCC Judith Vanterpool was responsible for developing the course for senior officers within national disaster organisations of CDEMA’s 18 participating states.
The initiative is aimed at advancing skills and providing tools to leaders of national disaster risk reduction programmes. It includes five core units derived from the Chartered Management Institute’s Executive Diploma in Management (Level 7) within a certificate programme to serve the needs of CDEMA member states. The units are leadership and risk management, managing performance, managing operations, developing project specifications, and objectives and strategic planning.
The successful candidates are awarded a Certificate of Completion in Leadership and Strategic Planning in Disaster Management from HLSCC and, at the completion of a written project, also receive a Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership from CMI.
To qualify for the HLSCC Certificate, candidates must have full attendance, present a portfolio, and display evidence of understanding of the course material through individual and group presentations.
In addition, to be eligible for the Level 5 CMI Certificate in Management, candidates must qualify for the HLSCC Certificate and complete a written project based on risk management within six weeks after the course ends.
A closing ceremony will be held on Friday 27 May, and National Disaster Coordinators and Directors who are currently in the territory attending a Technical Advisory Council Meeting will be present.
Over the years, HLSCC has developed an excellent working relationship with the Department of Disaster Management and CDEMA, one which has allowed the institution to develop and offer formal courses in Disaster Management at the Associate Degree and Certificate Levels, training in safer building, and online training applications in Disaster Management.
