The newly-proposed Human Resource Development (HRD) strategy was the main topic of discussion when the First Counsellor of the European Union, Zissimos Vergos, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, at her Warrens office on Monday, June 2.
The strategy aims to improve employability and the overall productivity of Barbadians by providing a framework for strengthening human resource and skills development.
Representatives from various government departments were also on hand as deliberations delved into the finer details of the HRD strategy, including the restructuring of the National Employment Bureau to assist retrenched workers; improving knowledge management systems; and assessing students with special needs.
The Minister noted that there were a number of areas ???we need to work on but our biggest challenge is unemployment right now???.
She also stated that ???we need to start implementing new mechanisms??? which include a focus on creating a higher national interest in entrepreneurship, innovation and continuing education.
The HRD strategy is being supported through grants from the European Union and technical assistance and loans from the Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.
jamal.hall@barbados.gov.bb