Roadtown, Tortola - The Department of Human Resources recently had the opportunity to “return the favour” by hosting one of the Rotary Group Study Exchange Team Members from Virginia in the United States.

Ms. Jennifer Hinkle, Human Resources Analyst for the Sheriff’s Office in the Chesterfield County of Virginia spent half-day in the department receiving and exchanging information with the Director of Human Resources Mr. David Archer, the Human Resources Managers for Employment, Ms. Jenifer David, Organisational Development and Planning, Ms. Shavon Henley, and Strategic Succession Planning, Ms. Kaisa Penn.

Ms. Hinkle expressed particular interest in Government’s human resources management systems, file management, leadership development, and database management; and she had the opportunity to become familiar with these areas within the Department of Human Resources during her brief visit.

The Director of Human Resources stated that “the human resources management procedures, polices and systems in place within the public service, which are managed and overseen by the Department of Human Resources are on par and in some instances more advanced than those of organisations regionally and internationally.”

Mr. Archer added, “This is a status we are conscious of and do our best to maintain and surpass. We are also always more than willing to share and exchange information and ideas about the work of the human resources field and the objectives and programmes of this department.” 

Human Resources Manager for Strategic Succession Planning Ms. Kaisa Penn participated in a similar exchange in Virginia for a period of four (4) weeks between September 25 and October 24, 2008, where she too had the opportunity to meet with a number of human resources professionals from both public and private organisations to learn about their human resources management processes, specifically about their succession planning and leadership activities and programmes.

The Rotary Group Study Exchange Programme is a Rotary Foundation Programme, and is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business people and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.