The participants who completed the training outside the HLSCC Centre for Applied Marine Studies Center building. Photo courtesy of HLSCC

The delegates completed a five-day course last week at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in leadership and strategic planning for disaster risk reduction.

In a press release issued by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), it states that support for the course was provided by the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAid) for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to develop and deliver the training course in two groups to the 27 senior officers of the 18 CDEMA participating states. The training delivered in the Territory represented one of those two groups.

At the closing ceremony, HLSCC President, Dr. Karl Dawson stated, “Over the years the BVI has benefitted from the educational services provided by our brothers and sisters in the region.  I am pleased that we are now in a position to offer something back, particularly in the area of disaster risk management.”

He commented on the excellent working relationship that the institution has developed with the Department of Disaster Management over the past 20 years and acknowledged the benefits that such relations have gained. He said, “Our partnership with the DDM and CDEMA has allowed for us to be able to develop and offer formal courses in Disaster Management at the Associate and Certificate levels, training in safer building and online training applications in Disaster Management.”

The leadership and strategic planning for disaster risk reduction initiative is aimed at advancing skills and providing tools to leaders of national disaster risk reduction programmes. The course includes five core units derived from the Chartered Executive Management Institute’s (CMI) Diploma in Management (Level 7) within a certificate programme to serve the needs of the CDEMA participating states. These units are leadership and risk management, managing performance, managing operations, developing project specifications, and objectives and strategic planning. In 2005 HLSCC formed a partnership with CMI that allowed for an opportunity to offer the course with professional certification.

The successful candidates were awarded a Certificate of Completion in Leadership and Strategic Planning in Disaster Management from HLSCC and, at the completion of the written project, will receive a Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership from CMI.

To qualify for the HLSCC Certificate, candidates must have full attendance, present a portfolio, and display evidence of understanding of the course material through individual and group presentations.

In addition, to be eligible for the Level 5 CMI Certificate in Management, candidates must qualify for the HLSCC Certificate and complete a written project based on risk management within six weeks after the course ends.