The new E-Learning Hub marks an important milestone in the development of the public sector and is focused on reaffirming this country’s commitment to education, training, and lifelong learning.
Minister of Training and Tertiary Education, Sandra Husbands, stated this recently, at the launch of the E-Learning Hub created for public officers, at the Learning and Development Directorate, Warrens Tower II, Warrens, St. Michael.
Ms. Husbands continued: “I believe that as we work together, we’ll be able to transform the lives of people who are in our civil service…and by transforming our lives, we transform how we impact the general public, and thus transform the lives of all Barbadians.”
She said Barbados can only be resilient if its families are resilient, which means that the government must “upskill everyone”. She hailed the launch as crucial to the country’s broader digital transformation journey.
“The launch of the E-Learning Hub is an essential step towards realising the Government’s vision of transforming Barbados into a digital society. This is not just an aspiration; it is a strategic imperative that will guide our efforts as we move forward in a world that is increasingly digital, interconnected, and technology driven.
“As you know, this vision of a digital society is at the heart of the work being led by the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology, which is actively working to position Barbados as a leader in digital innovation and technology. It is within this framework that the Ministry of Training and Tertiary Education, a newly established ministry, plays a pivotal role,” Ms. Husbands stated.
She disclosed that her Ministry wants to be able to work collaboratively with other stakeholder ministries, and that she is desirous of working with the senior/elderly population, who will need help coping with transformation into the digital age.
“The only way we can help them to continue to live as independently and securely as possible is to also transition the capability to use digital skills in their home to do their e-banking, to order their pharmaceuticals and their groceries, to be able to pay their bills, so that when they have to go, it’s only because they want to,” she said.
The E-Learning Hub, in collaboration with the National Transformation Initiative (NTI) and Coursera, will offer public officers access to world class training that is aligned to the Public Service Competency Framework, which sets out critical competencies needed for a digital economy.
Noting that the initiative will reap benefits for Barbados, Minister Husbands added: “This journey prepares us to be leaders in helping other countries, other civil service groups, to make the transition. This is going to be a money earner…. We want to be able to offer your skills across the world, where you now can earn money like an entrepreneur in association with your government.”
Director of Training for the National Transformation Initiative, Dr. Allison Leacock, stated that the platform ensures that Barbados’ public service will remain agile, informed, and competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
“The NTI Public Service E-Learning Hub is intended to position all of Barbados’ public servants to meet the demands of a digitally driven world. What we’ve done is have a number of curated courses that match directly to your competency frameworks.
“There are three things that we expect this hub will do to add value to all that you are doing – Analytical Thinking, Digital Proficiency, and Adaptability. They will define the workplace from here on in and it will define our workplace success.”
Dr. Leacock told stakeholders and ministry officials, that continuous professional development isn’t just a checklist, it is “your passport to career advancement, to innovation and excellence in the public service”.
“This NTI Public Service E-Learning Hub is designed to enhance what you’re doing, not replace it. It is to enhance your existing training. It is user-friendly. It is self- paced…. It is aligned specifically to your career trajectory.
“So, whether you are in non-managerial roles, middle, or senior management or executive leadership….these courses have been curated specifically based on the needs identified by your own team….
“Log on, upskill, and become the champion that your career deserves and that Barbados needs,” she encouraged.
Director of the Learning and Development Directorate, Fay-Marie Browne, speaking on behalf of Director General – Human Resources in the Ministry of the Public Service, Penelope Linton, said the launch is a significant step in transforming how the public service workforce is empowered, and it must stay ahead of the curve.
“The introduction of the E-Learning Hub aligns perfectly with our commitment to continuous professional development and capacity building within the public service in the ever-changing landscape of governance, technology and service delivery,” she said.
The hub was also described as an initiative that will revolutionise the approach to recruitment, training, and overall employee engagement, by removing traditional barriers to learning, such as location, time, and availability.
“By making learning accessible and customisable, we are enabling our employees to enhance their skills, improve their performance and ultimately contribute more effectively to the growth of our nation,” Mrs. Browne added.
Director of Governance with Coursera, Jeff Kaplan, who addressed the gathering virtually, said: “At Coursera, we’re really proud of our continuing and deep partnership with Barbados. You are not alone in this, in what you’re doing.
“Barbados is definitely a leader in this effort – the need for … more skills, different skills, across public sectors, is something that governments and countries share around the world, and we see this, given all the partnerships that we have.” (PR/GIS)
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