Premier Welcomes Week-Long Immigration Training Workshop
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Premier, the Honourable Ralph T O’Neal OBE addressing participants at the start of the Immigration Training Workshop
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July 21, 2008 – Premier Honourable Ralph T O’Neal, OBE, has welcomed this week’s training workshop for Immigration Officers saying he gives whole-hearted support to the initiative which will help empower officers as they strike a delicate balance in the execution of their duties.
Addressing the participants at the start of the workshop this morning, the Premier said the job of immigration officers requires them to protect the borders of the BVI, while at the same time serve as ambassadors for the Territory, the economy of which thrives on tourism.
The Premier said “You are mandated by the Territory’s laws to ensure that only legally accepted persons are allowed to enter our ports. On the other hand, your vocation calls for compassion and consideration even at times when you have to get firm.”
Recognising the rapidly changing environment in which Immigration Officers have to operate, the Premier expressed his satisfaction with the topics to be covered during the training workshop. These include Operating the Internal Border, Visas and Ticketing, Customer Care, Professional Standards, Risk Mitigation, Human Smuggling and Impostor Detection.
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Workshop Facilitator, Mr. David Miller addresses Immigration Officers. Mr. Miller is the Training Manager at the Heathrow Academy in the UK
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He said “Technological advances afford the common criminal an opportunity to falsify documents and identities with ease, and you need real and practical tools to help you to detect forgeries.” The Premier added “We must remain steps ahead of the criminals who carefully study and monitor our operations.”
The Premier noted too that training represents a vital tool in the preparation of Immigration Officers to face the challenges of the 21st century. He urged the participants to thoroughly arm themselves with the information provided during the training as they endeavour to face the increasing complexities of the world.
Honourable O’Neal said training workshops such as these are imperative if Immigration Officers are to effectively differentiate between the different types of visitors coming to the BVI.
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Immigration Officers participating in the training workshop pose with members of the Head Table at the opening ceremony. Seated left to right are Permanent Secretary, Premier’s office, Mrs. Rosalie Adams, Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. David Jennings, Premier, the Honourable Ralph T O’Neal OBE, Workshop Facilitators, Messrs. David Miller and Daniel Jones
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The workshop is being facilitated by Head of Learning & Development Delivery for the UK Border Agency, Mr. Kevin Jones; Training Manager in the National Training Unit in the UK, Mr. David Miller and Mr. Daniel Jones of the UK Border Agency.
At Monday’s opening, Mr. Miller described the workshop as a unique opportunity to share experiences and expressed the hope that it will be mutually beneficial to the trainers and trainees.
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Dennis Jennings said the workshop will give participants an opportunity to learn about what is happening in other jurisdictions and he urged them to share their newly acquired knowledge with their colleagues once they return to their respective duty stations.
Sixteen Immigration Officers from various ports of entry are participating in the training workshop which is organised by the Department of Immigration in conjunction with the Premier’s Office. The theme for the workshop is Enhancing Border Protection with Quality Service. ~~Adz:Right~~
British Virgin Islands News