Beaches & Sandals Takes Aim at Engineering Graduates
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) remains committed to human resource development and has launched its latest drive to unearth bright young stars through its Management Trainee Programme (MTP).
This time around however, the Luxury-Included® resort chain is specifically seeking to exclusively identify Engineering and Facilities Management graduates from across the Caribbean.
Ideal candidates for the programme must have a first degree in Engineering and/or Facilities Management or other related discipline, from a recognized tertiary institution. In addition, shortlisted candidates must be over 21 years old, possess strong communication and organizational skills and have a clear interest for growth in the hospitality industry.
The successful candidates will experience an intensive, accelerated and practical two-year learning and development programme including exposure to all areas and departments of hotel operations with a targeted specialization of engineering and facilities management. Each Management Trainee will also be expected to contribute to the resort’s performance and service excellence.
Submissions should be made by email to mtp2016@grp.sandals.com no later than May 1, 2016. Following submissions, there will be an intense selection process including a series of extensive interviews to identify the most suitable candidates.
The Management Trainee Programme is the centerpiece of SRI’s Management Succession Planning Strategy and was originally introduced in the mid 1980’s. Other training initiatives include the Hospitality Training Programme which provides unattached youths with an introduction to various departments in the resorts. Continuous on the job training sessions, scholarship opportunities, workshops and seminars for team members are also offered through the Sandals Corporate University.
Snorkel Clinic will open up a whole new world for students
School students will have an opportunity to discover a whole new world at a snorkel clinic next week.
The clinic, slated for Wednesday 23 March, is a School for Field Studies initiative and will be held in collaboration with AMANYARA, the Edward C. Gartland Youth Center, and the Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs (DEMA).
"On South Caicos, the School for Field Studies provides opportunities for young community members to discover and explore our natural resources through swimming lessons and the SFS Snorkel Club. The School for Field Studies is excited to work in collaboration with AMANYARA, the Edward C. Gartland Youth Center, and DEMA to extend our community engagement efforts to Providenciales and introduce local youth to the underwater world. Our students are excited to share what they have learned on South Caicos about coral reefs and their value, and hope to encourage greater stewardship and understanding of this very important natural resource." Said Heidi Hertler, Center Director, School for Field Studies Center for Marine Resource Management
Registered school students, between the ages of 8 and 15 with at least a moderate swimming ability, will join the SFS college students for a 1:1 (student: instructor) 'learn to snorkel' clinic where participants will get to explore the underwater coral reefs of Providenciales, while learning to use and care for their snorkel equipment. The morning will include an introduction to snorkelling, educational and fun marine conservation games and in-water snorkel training.
DIGICEL AND BROADSOFT EXPAND UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS COLLABORATION
Digicel Group has announced that it is expanding its Broadsoft BroadWorks® platform and UC One® Unified Communications portfolio of services, which will see customers across the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific region benefiting from world-class products and services.
Digicel’s Cloud Telephony portfolio delivers an innovative IP and Cloud-based communications service offerings in multiple markets, including cloud PBX, unified communications and SIP trunking.
BroadSoft’s extensive unified communication and collaboration technologies will enable Digicel to expand the scale of its offerings and provide complete solutions starting with Fixed Mobile Substitution, Fixed Mobile Convergence and Unified Communications that target both small and medium businesses (SMBs) and large corporations. These include hosted PBX and SIP trunking services, presence and instant messaging, video collaboration, and desktop/file sharing. With hundreds of leading SP customers around the world, including 26 of the top 30 by revenue, BroadSoft is able to provide Digicel with extensive business and technical expertise in successful IP-based Communications Services deployments.
“We believe that Digicel has a very powerful and clear vision of what is possible with the right approach to the Unified Communications market. Combining Digicel’s vision, technical and customer support strength, with BroadSoft’s proven BroadWorks and UC One platforms, will help customers mobilize their workforce, drive productivity and lower communications costs,” said Jonathan Reid, Managing Director, Emerging Markets BroadSoft.
Digicel’s Cloud Telephony product portfolio meets customers’ every communication need regardless of the type, size or location of their business. Mobile only and fixed mobile convergence services offer users a single “find me anywhere” solution by combining the IP and mobile environment into a single service suitable for multiple user profiles. The integration of premise-based solutions enable the delivery of cost-effective products, enhancing legacy voice calling infrastructure and offering business continuity capabilities.
“We are very excited about the expansion of our relationship with BroadSoft which dramatically increases our Cloud Telephony and Unified Communications services to existing and new Digicel customers. With the ever changing and highly mobile workforces we serve today, a world-class Unified Communications platform is essential to deliver cost effective, flexible, and reliable communications services across any device and regardless of the physical location. We believe that BroadSoft has the right solutions and technical expertise to be the ideal partner for us as we significantly expand the Unified Communications service offerings in our target markets” said Martin Carroll, Group COO of Digicel Business.
TCIG HR Manager Receives Human Resource Management Certificate
The Office of the Deputy Governor would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Human Resource Manager, Keisha Taylor on the obtainment of her Human Resource Management Certification.
In January 2015, funding was approved from the United Kingdom Jubilee Fund for the registration and purchase of learning material for four Human Resource Officers to pursue a certification in Human Resource Management through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) was founded in 1948 and is the world's largest HR membership organization devoted to Human Resource Management. Representing more than 275,000 members in over 160 countries, the Society is the leading provider of resources to serve the needs of HR professionals and advance the professional practice of Human Resource Management. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and United Arab Emirates. Committed to developing the HR profession globally, SHRM provides resources, global best practices and a network of nearly 10,000 members in over 160 countries and territories outside the U.S.
The SHRM credentials, SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®), address the role HR professionals have in leading organizational success, are relevant worldwide and test behavioral competencies as well as the application of HR technical knowledge.
Commenting on her achievement Ms. Taylor said: "I was elated to receive the official results that I had successfully completed my SHRM-CP certification exam. I am also grateful for the opportunity granted through both the United Kingdom Jubilee Fund and the TCIG Public Service Professional Development Fund. My effort and success on this initiative is an ideal and critical demonstration of the commitment to my continuous professional development and my desire to effectively assist the team in the advancement of HR Best Practices in the TCIG Public Service."
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H.E. Anya Williams said; "I am very proud of our Human Resource Management team most especially Ms. Taylor on the recent accomplishment of her Human Resource Management Certification. This certification will provide both her and the other HR Officers with a specialist qualification that is up to date and is relevant to the work they do. This will in turn help to provide a better service to the government and to improve the overall performance of the Human Resource Management Directorate.
"As a part of our intention to fully utilize the Professional Development Fund to assist in professionalizing all staff across government, it is our intention to have all HR Officers complete this certification program by April 2017. I certainly wish all others much success in their upcoming studies and exams and encourage all other staff across government to pursue similar opportunities in their individual professions. Once again congratulations!"
Police Officer sustained injuries in shooting incident
On Thursday 17th March 2016, at approximately 1:22 am an officer in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force sustained injuries in a firearm related incident that occurred in the area of Kew Town, Providenciales.
The officer was treated at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center and released.
RTC News understands that the police are conducting investigations into this incident.
Seven Day Forecast 17-23 March, 2016
GENERAL SITUATION: A weak ridge of high pressure over the Northwest Bahamas will continue to produce stable conditions across the country today.
Thursday 17th – Sunny and warm today; fair tonight. Maximum Temperature 86°F and Minimum Temperature 66°F. Winds S 5-10 knots in the Northwest & Central Bahamas and E at 10 knots in the Southeast Bahamas. Seas 1-3 feet over the ocean in the Northwest & Central Bahamas and 2-4 feet in the Southeast Bahamas.
Friday 18th – Mostly sunny and warm with the chance of isolated showers. Maximum Temperature 86°F and Minimum Temperature 68°F. Winds SE-S 10-15 knots but falling light & variable at times mainly across the Northwest Bahamas.
Saturday 19th – Partly sunny and hot with few afternoon showers mainly across the Northwest Bahamas. Maximum Temperature 90°F and Minimum Temperature 70°F. Winds SE-S 10-15 knots Seas 2-4 feet over the ocean.
Sunday 20th – Cloudy with scattered showers mainly in the area of the Northwest & Central Bahamas; elsewhere sunny and hot. Maximum Temperature 87°F and Minimum Temperature 68°F. Winds SE-S 10-15 knots. Seas 2-4 feet over the ocean.
Monday 21st – Cloudy with scattered showers. Maximum Temperature 80°F and Minimum Temperature 62°F. Winds SE-S 10-15 knots in the Northwest& Central Bahamas and SW-W 10-15 knots elsewhere; winds will become NE 15-20 knots by nighttime. Seas 2-4 feet over the ocean, increasing 4-6 by nighttime.
Tuesday 22nd – Partly sunny and bit breezy; cooler night expected. Maximum Temperature 80°F and Minimum Temperature 60°F. Small Craft Caution in effect. Winds NNW-NNE 15-20 knots. Seas 4-6 feet over the ocean.
Wednesday 23rd – Partly sunny with the chance of few brief showers. Maximum Temperature 81°F and Minimum Temperature 64°F. Small Craft Caution in effect. Winds NE 15-20 knots. Seas 4-6 feet over the ocean.
BUDGET PRESENTATION for 2016/17 by the Minister of Finance
The Turks & Caicos Islands Government has began the presentation of the 2016/2017 budget for the Turks & Caicos Islands.
The Minister Hon. C. Washington Missick lays out the plans for his Government in the attached document.
BUDGET_PRESENTATION_2016-17_by_MOF_17_MAR_2016.docx
Spoken Word Artist Breaks The Chains
Young TCI Spoken Word artist, Holly Missick, known by her stage name, Hollene of Troi, has officially released her debut book, ‘Spoken Words Unchained’.
“Thought-provoking”, “bold”, and “Sexy” are just a few of the words used to describe many of Holly’s stage performances, and now she brings that same energy to her debut literary work. Holly has performed at several local Spoken Word events across Providenciales, and has been a part of the poetry group ‘Towers of Babel’, whereby several pieces of her work were published via national print media.
“This book is me, it is who I am. Naked, unclothed, I am taking it all off and laying out my bare soul in this book. It is a collection of some of my finest work and I wanted my readers to relate to all 136 pages. When they buy ‘Spoken Words Unchained’ they are essentially buying a part of me,” remarked Holly.
Holly further explained that: “I used a lot of my own life when I wrote this book. The poems cover a range of topics, such as love, without love there’s nothing; also, society and even my thoughts on life itself. I may not have personally gone through every situation, but I certainly experienced every single emotion expressed. Spoken Word has become my passion and I want to use that passion to take my readers on a journey through my mind. All they have to do is hold on for the ride.”
According to Holly, the book took a lot of determination in order to complete, as she had many setbacks during the process, but she never let that deter her from her ultimate goal. ‘Spoken Words Unchained’ is only the first in what Holly hopes to be a long and productive writing career. Digital versions of the book are available right now from Amazon.com for $17.99 and readers can also order paperback copies directly from there. However, paperback versions of the book will be available soon at the Unicorn Bookstore, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales.
President Obama to Nominate Merrick Garland for Supreme Court
President Obama on Wednesday will nominate Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, two Democratic sources tell ABC News.
Garland is a judicial moderate who currently serves as chief judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The president is expected to make the announcement at 11:00 a.m. ET in the Rose Garden at the White House.
Wednesday’s announcement comes after the unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia last month set in motion weeks of intense partisan fighting over filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year.
Senate Republican leaders have already vowed not to hold hearings on Obama’s nominee and instead seek to delay filling the vacancy until after November’s election.
President Bill Clinton nominated Garland to his current seat on the D.C. Circuit Court, where he’s served since 1997 and became chief judge in 2013.
Garland has spent most of his career in government, serving as a federal prosecutor before becoming a judge. He led the prosecution of the Oklahoma City bombing and of Theodore Kaczynski, better known as the “Unabomber.” He has also spent some of his career in private practice.
Garland graduated from Harvard Law School in 1977 and went on to clerk for Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan.
At age 63, Garland would be one of the oldest associate justices ever appointed to the Supreme Court.
Source-ABC
Sean "Diddy" Combs Slashes Price Again on New Jersey Mansion
Sean “Diddy” Combs can't seem to get rid of his New Jersey mansion. After having his home on the market for almost five months, the mogul has significantly slashed its price.
According to Variety, the 3.25-acre estate has been listed for $8 million, a big drop from its original asking price of $13.5 million in 2011. The 9,000-square-foot mansion boasts seven bedrooms -- three multi-room master suites and three en suite bedrooms with walk-in closets, plus a staff bedroom in the basement -- and a total of nine-and-a-half bathrooms.
Additionally, Diddy is struggling to sell a New York City condo he purchased for nearly $3.8 million in 2005 and attempted to sell for $8.5 million in 2012. Its currently available for $7 million.
Source-ABC