Transport Authority Chaplains Graduate

To continuously empower staff and improve service delivery to customers, the Transport Authority (TA) has, over the past years, organised several training programmes.

The latest initiative saw the first batch of 31 chaplains at the Transport Authority being recognised at a graduation ceremony, held at the Police Officers Club, in Kingston, on September 18.

They were presented with certificates after successfully completing a one week training course.

In his address, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, said these training programmes are also geared at enhancing the operational and strategic outcomes of the Authority’s efforts to monitor and regulate public land transportation.

Dr. Guy said with the introduction of this programme, the Transport Authority has become the fourth full-fledged member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains.

“The establishment of the chaplaincy programme is timely and has therefore positioned the Transport Authority to become a more caring employer by providing the well needed emotional and spiritual guidance for its sometimes battle weary and emotionally wounded employees,” he said.

Citing added benefits of the programme, he pointed out that the employees will be supported by some of their own colleagues, “who have been in the line of duty or understand the pain and emotional challenges they face.”

Other initiatives introduced by the Transport Authority include: training exercise for route inspectors; establishment of a wellness programme to support employees; and the development of a public interaction policy.

For the public interaction policy, Dr. Guy said it includes standard interaction procedures that guide the interaction of employees in initiated contacts with operators and the general public.

“As a consequence of this public policy interaction programme, those who follow social media ought no longer to see facebook clips of what is perceived as routine events at the offices of the Transport Authority. We have to be mindful that whatever we do and more so, in a technologically driven era, our actions are recorded and posted instantaneously and inform public opinion at the very same time,” he said.

As it relates to the wellness programme, Dr. Guy explained that it will support employees in making smart and healthy choices that can reduce health care cost and increase vitality, boost morale, reduce stress and diminish absenteeism.

The Chaplaincy Programme was established in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force Chaplaincy Division, and through affiliation with the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC).

The graduates were trained in the areas of law enforcement chaplaincy, stress management, confidentiality, responding in a crisis, sensitivity and diversity.