Workshops to Raise Standard of Records Management

Records Consultant Mr. Kelvin Smith speaks to participants in a Records Appraisal workshop on Monday, August 18, 2008, at the Public Service Training Centre. Looking on, from left, are: Government Archivist Mr. Christopher Varlack, Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office Ms. Julia Christopher, Chief Records Management Officer Mrs. Verna Penn Moll, and Deputy Governor Mr. Elton Georges. (Photo by GIS/Aldrin Rabsatt)

Speaking at the opening of the first workshop today, the Deputy Governor said the participants are fortunate to have an opportunity to learn valuable records appraisal techniques.

“In this way, little by little, we hope to raise the standards in the public service of record keeping and records management. You are on the first rung of that ladder,” Mr. Georges said.

Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office Ms. Julia Christopher said good records management ensures that documents can be easily accessed by future generations. 

“It is important that persons doing research in the future have access to our records,” she said.

~~Adz:Right~~ Some 50 records officers are expected to attend the three two-day workshops being held over the next two weeks. The workshops are being led by records consultant Mr. Kelvin Smith, who retired last December after a 40-year career at the National Archives of the UK.

Chief Records Management Officer Mrs. Verna Penn Moll said the objectives of the workshops are to provide hands-on, practical experience using semi-current records from Government departments, and to teach the skills needed to manage backlogs of inactive records in offices and storerooms.
 
The Archives and Records Management Programme was established in April, 2004 in the Deputy Governor’s Office. Its objective is to encourage proper records management in the government and to develop a comprehensive archives and records management programme.