Public Sector Workers Take Part in Leadership Workshop at MIND

KINGSTON — Scores of public sector workers are set to benefit from a two-day Leadership and Change Management workshop, which began yesterday at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND).

The workshop is designed to support the government of Jamaica's efforts to enhance accountability and strengthen the quality of management and leadership, through the continued training and development of professionals within the public sector.

Minister  with responsibility for Information and the Public Service, Senator the Hon. Arthur Williams, who addressed the workshop, emphasised that the steps toward improved productivity in all areas of the public sector must be informed by leaders in the respective areas.

"This workshop will equip you with the tools to lead the change process; to inspire team work in an atmosphere of change; to identify goals and the critical path to implement these goals; to be open to receive feedback and to build valuable professional relationships," Senator Williams said.

He pointed out that the workshop has been tailored to empower public sector leaders with change management skills, while arguing  that communication is vital to achieving success in transforming the public sector.

"Therefore, Permanent Secretaries, heads of agencies, managers and supervisors must communicate effectively the elements of the transformation process and its impact on people, on processes and on products," the Minister said.

Senator Williams urged participants in the workshop to "learn about the challenges and successes of your colleagues, listen to each other and take what you can from it to build your own organisation."

For her part, Director of Public Service Capability Development at MIND, Ann-Marie Smith, pointed out that between the months of November and December it is anticipated that 100 public sector workers will participate in the leadership and change management workshop.

"Very early in the new year, before the end of the fiscal year, we are going to have another couple hundred persons who are going to be exposed to the leadership change and management workshop," Miss Smith said.

The workshop is being held in collaboration with the Public Sector Transformation Unit and MIND.

MIND is an Executive Agency and an accredited tertiary level training institution. It is Jamaica’s main public sector management training organisation; however, its range of courses is also available to private sector managers.

By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter