Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo (right) presenting a special award to Sandra Myer at the graduation ceremony for the Small Business Association’s entrepreneurial training programme at the Grand Salle. (C.Pitt/BGIS)
Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, is urging Barbadians to constantly find ways to upgrade and improve their skills.
She recently made these comments while delivering the feature address at the Small Business Association’s (SBA) graduation ceremony for its entrepreneurial training programme held at the Grand Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre, under the theme Make your Mark for the Future – Improve your Skills Today.
She told the approximately 152 graduands, who were trained in five disciplines, that they must look to improve their skills daily, as it was in line with government’s policy to develop a skilled and competent workforce.
She said: “Our country has embarked on a path of growth. Growth that is smart, sustainable and inclusive. While it’s true we have been spending too much time highlighting what we want to improve, so much so, you might think that there are no positives on which to build.
“However, let me remind you that Barbados has been recognised in many fora, the world economic forum no less, for its strong institutions and infrastructure, its quality health, education and training, its market efficiencies and our technological readiness. And, sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we do get some things right, yet so often we berate ourselves that we think that there is nowhere to go, but that really is not the case.”
Graduate Vincent Thomas lauded the SBA for its innovative programmes and credited it for the positive growth of his business, as he had implemented the core principles.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer at the SBA, Lynette Holder, remarked that she was pleased with the current success of the Association in facilitating the development of skills within the small business sector.
The SBA head informed attendees that the association had been around for more than three decades, and would continue to dedicate itself and its resources to the development of micro, small and medium enterprises in this country.
“With this commitment from the SBA, small businesses and entrepreneurs across the island should expect to see a further strengthening of the sector’s future in the years to come,” she opined.
The five disciplines were QuickBooks, Marketing for Small Enterprises, Maximising Social Media, Supervisory Management and Customer Service Excellence.