Minister Husbands: A Rethink Needed For Retirement Process

The challenge to be creative, in building a society that can care for its senior and aged population, was issued yesterday at a Health and Wellness Conference, hosted by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council Barbados.

The call to action was made by Minister of Training and Tertiary Education, Sandra Husbands, while delivering remarks at the Conference, held at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Needham’s Point, St. Michael.

Minister Husbands opined that retirement should not be a sudden event. “We should be able to gear down from five days a week to three days a week to two days a week, and gradually ease yourself into retirement.”

The Minister explained that this would allow senior workers to be present for mentoring their replacements, while, at the same time, continuing to make their knowledge and experience available to the organisation. 

“We have to be creative in managing this change. This helps that senior person to continue to earn while adjusting, because sometimes that moment comes up without quite clearing the mortgage, or you might need to change your car, or you have a son or daughter that is still studying, and you need to support grandchildren.

“These are some of the things for which we need to develop initiatives and not be afraid to experiment. Who said work had to be 9 to 4 and you throw away the key? No, let us think outside of the box and restructure what we need to restructure in order to assist us to…truly support you as you grow older.” Minister Husbands said.

The Chairman of TVET Council Barbados, Dr. Albert Best, described the Conference as an intervention, and not simply an event. 

“It (the Conference) calls for a workforce that is not only technically skilled, but also equipped to guide behavioural change, to support healthier lifestyles, and to meet the complex needs of an aging population with competence and compassion.” he declared. 

The ongoing, three-day Conference is emphasising the importance of health and wellness in national development. (PR/GIS)