Territory’s Immigration Officers Now Better Trained 

~~Adz:Right~~TORTOLA, B.V.I- Government can now pride itself on having better trained immigration officers to improve the surveillance and enforcement capacities of the Immigration Department, with the completion of a training workshop by 16 officers.

The officers wrapped up their week-long training workshop on Friday touting the stimulating, fulfilling and interactive nature of the sessions. Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, who is also the minister for immigration, presented the 16 officers with certificates of completion at a ceremony which was also attended by Governor David Pearey, Deputy Governor Mr. Elton Georges and several members of the House of Assembly.

Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, Assistant Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe, noted that improvements in the Immigration Department fall within Government’s strategic agenda for the next four years.

Mrs. Stoutt-Igwe noted that improving customer care is one of the objectives outlined in this plan and was also one of the topics receiving significant attention during the training.

“The sessions on forgery and detection and intelligence-led processes, along with other information shared during the week, have strengthened the department’s surveillance capacity and will assist greatly in strengthening the department’s enforcement capacity,” Mrs. Stoutt-Igwe said.

The Assistant Secretary commended the immigration officers for their high level of participation and urged them to put into force what they have learnt.

Workshop Facilitator and Head of Learning & Development Delivery with the United Kingdom (UK) Border Agency Mr. Kevin Jones also praised the officers for the stimulating discussions and noted that the workshop was mutually beneficial. “We are going home with some really good ideas that we can incorporate into our own programmes and strategic planning.”

Mr. Jones anticipates similar sessions in the future where the UK and the BVI will be able to continue building upon the international fraternity of immigration officers.

 The participants, too, described the sessions as very enlightening and timely. Delivering remarks on behalf of her colleagues, Immigration Officer II Miss Adrienne Duchene said the topics covered proved to be vital tools to assist in the execution of their duties. She also noted that the workshop served as a motivational tool for the participants, inspiring them to deliver a more improved professional service.

The workshop was organised by the Department of Immigration in collaboration with the Premier’s Office, under whose portfolio it falls. It is envisioned that by 2011, the Immigration Department will be comprised of highly trained and motivated officers, utilising advanced technology in providing exceptional services to the public.