Immigration Department Officers Receive Leadership Training

Officers at the Barbados Immigration Department (BID) have completed a leadership training programme, focused on guiding, influencing, and inspiring them to become well-rounded, efficient and effective leaders.

Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Gregory Nicholls, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Wendy Odle, presented over 20 officers with their certificates of participation in the Immigration Leadership & Professional Development Programme, conducted by BID Consultant, and former Chief Immigration Officer, Margaret Inniss.

At the graduation ceremony, held this morning at the BID’s Princess Alice Highway location, Mr. Nicholls noted that the training represents a strategic investment in the country’s national development, aimed at strengthening border governance, while reinforcing the profile of accountability, transparency and citizen-focused public service.

He congratulated the officers and encouraged them to utilise the skills and knowledge acquired to improve the delivery of their daily duties.

“Your successful completion of this initiative is a testament to your dedication, discipline and commitment to excellence in the service of Barbados. I am immensely proud of each of you for embracing this opportunity to grow as professionals and as leaders in the immigration system. You are entrusted with strengthening public confidence, while improving service delivery and contributing to a more efficient, responsive and respected immigration system,” the Minister stated.

He also spoke about leadership. “Leadership is not defined by rank. It is defined by influence, integrity and by being an example. It’s the ability to guide others, to inspire confidence, to uphold standards, even in the most challenging of circumstances. We always say that a leader commands respect rather than demands respect,” he indicated.

Participants received information on the Barbados Immigration Cap 190 Act, the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the Freedom of Movement Act, the General Orders, and the Public Service Act.  Additionally, they learnt about core values such as accountability and respect, leadership styles, the red and blue zones, the importance of emotional intelligence, integrity, adaptability, and the significance of strategic communication.

Three officers at the BID spoke about their experience and key takeaways from the training. Immigration Officer I, Alicia Parris, said: “The information shared was insightful, well presented and provided valuable perspectives on effective leadership…. It gave us viable insights and deepened our understanding of what makes a good leader and how leadership is a delicate balance of values and self-awareness in every area of our lives.”

Information Technology Officer, Chad Larrier, indicated what type of leader he wants to be. “I don’t want to be a leader who leads through fear and control. I want to lead with purpose and clarity. I want to be the kind of leader who brings out the best in others, who listens before acting, and who inspires, rather than instructs, a leader who not only drives results, but builds those around him,” Mr. Larrier shared.

Immigration Officer I, Emmanuel Ward, stressed that a good leader must be deliberate in making a difference, while engaging with both the external and internal customers of the department.

“Be deliberate in how you speak, be deliberate in your decision-making, be deliberate in how you treat people, because people are at the centre of our business. When you choose to be deliberate, you’re not just performing another job function, you are choosing to make a difference, and that is what matters,” Mr. Ward said. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Front row – Assistant Chief Immigration Officer, Saritta Chadderton; Minister of Home Affair and Information, Gregory Nicholls; Permanent Secretary, Wendy Odle; and Barbados Immigration Department Consultant, Margaret Inniss, with participants of the Department’s ‘Immigration Leadership & Professional Development Programme.