CBC remains focused on training staff

(CNS): The transition of the Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service from the traditional role of gatekeepers to a targeted intelligence-led approach is a major part of the agency’s development. Training is therefore an important factor for all staff, from management to new recruits, according to a release from the CBC. To this end its staff has received specialist training on this modern approach and cross-training on the merged elements of the agency.

Wesley Howell, the chief officer for the Ministry of Employment and Border Control, said that the CBC is led by a director who believes in lifelong learning and professional development. “I was excited to see so many CBC staff members follow the director’s lead and work hard to excel in the recent cross-training and professional development programmes,” he said.

The Charles Sturt University Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) in Australia joined forces this summer with CBS to deliver an 8-week course on Intelligence-Led Risk and Compliance Management. Twenty CBC staff members took the online programme to help them identify effective risk-based compliance management strategies in a variety of workplace settings.

CBC Director Charles Clifford said the course would help to fulfill the agency’s commitment to use intelligence-led, risk management. “This cultural transition within CBC is the cornerstone of our new five-year Strategic Plan which will be launched this year and therefore this partnership with CCES is timely and tactical,” he said.

Course participant and Deputy Director Marlon Bodden said training is critical to business outcomes and success or failure, so it is important for management to be involved in this training too.

“Even well-trained and motivated employees enjoy the camaraderie and satisfaction of seeing senior leaders experiencing the rigor of a classroom environment. This training will significantly help us to move forward in our intelligence-led risk management approach of operation,” he said. 

Senior Customs and Border Control Officer Don Parsons said he was encouraged by the inclusion of senior managers. “Their participation was welcomed as we saw them trying to work on their assignments, interacting in the webinars and discussion forum and thus provided a boost to our morale,” he said.

Meanwhile, a cross training programme is providing legacy custom and immigration officers to be trained in laws, regulations, policy and procedures in their respective border areas at Check Point 1, where travel documents are shown, and Check Point 2, where officers review passenger baggage and conduct searches. Clifford stated this was a critical component of the merger which began last year.

CBC Training and Development Manager Jenifer Gager-Sterling said cross-training was an effective way to build employees’ skill sets. “The training programme allows a more formal and organized process to prepare employees to do more than a single job,” she added.

The training helps staff from the differing sides of border control learn each other’s skills and improve understanding of the CBC Law, Regulations and procedures. Aspects of WORC immigration laws were also incorporated to show the symbiotic relationship with both entities.

“By cross training employees, they are empowered with additional knowledge which can become a powerful tool within the organization in achieving strategic and professional development goals for the officers,” said Bodden.

Over 30 officers completed the course, which included both theoretical and practical classes which were limited due to the closure of the airport.