Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 21, 2018 (S.T.E.P.) — Prime Minister and Minister of People Empowerment, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, has impressed upon workers on the Skills Training Empowerment Programme (STEP) that for them to be better contributors to their families, communities and to the country they must be the best that they can be.
The Skills Training Empowerment Programme falls under the Office of the Prime Minister, and Dr Harris made the remarks when he addressed STEP workers from Bird Rock, Conaree, Needsmust, and the National Heroes Park at a one-day Soft Skills Training Programme held on Thursday November 15 at the Conaree Community Centre.
“I see this morning exercise in keeping with those core expectations that we want everyone to be the best that he or she can be – This is important,” said the Honourable Prime Minister. “You must want to be the best that you can be. You must want it for you and you must want it for your children, and you must want it for your neighbours and for your communities.”
Prime Minister Harris further advised them that they must always see themselves as having the capacity to behave just as nice as anybody else. When doctors and lawyers go to the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, they too must do the same because the love for their child is not any different from the love the doctor and the lawyer have for their children.
“You must see yourself as being able to take and encourage your daughter, your son to go to Sunday school or to go to church,” said Dr Harris. He advised the STEP workers that even if they many not go with the children, they must know from their heart and soul that something good comes from exposing children to a grounding in the church. “That is where they build their moral fibre through encouragement, and through admonition in Sunday school.”
The Soft Skills Training Programme was facilitated by the former Director of Gender Affairs Mrs Ingrid Charles-Gumbs, and International Social Skills Consultant and Crime Reduction Specialist, and President of Motiv-8 For Change International, Dr Neals Chitan.
Present were Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for STEP, Mr Osbert DeSuza; Director of STEP, Mr Wendell Wattley, who introduced Prime Minister Harris to the STEP workers; Mr Emile Greene, STEP’s Quality Assurance Coordinator/Consultant; Mr William Phillip, STEP Field Coordinator; and Mr Jason McKoy, STEP Field Officer.
Mr DeSuza told the workers that the STEP office will start some sessions in proper and effective money management, and formal training in civic responsibility in creating a positive attitude towards work, and building good relationships among one another.
“The whole idea is to start to provide effective soft skills training to all STEP employees,” noted the Permanent Secretary. “I think that is something that we can do for you to basically help build positive character among all of you. I want to thank you for coming here this morning. We have the two presenters and the topic (Conflict Management) that was chosen for starting the series of activities is timely and I think it will benefit a number of you.”
