We take a break this week from informing you about the various departments at SLASPA to focus on the Port’s role in Education. Quite timely, the current issue of our quarterly magazine, SLASPA in Focus is dedicated to Education and highlights the various ways we play a part in our education system. Throughout the years, SLASPA has been committed to education, not only through employee enhancement and development, but also by providing scholarships to children of employees who have excelled at the primary and secondary level exams. SLASPA also partners with the local Junior Achievement Program and works with other local groups through our community outreach programme called Our Port Our Community.

SLASPA’s support for education also includes organising educational visits to the various facilities, participating in career fairs and providing work experience for Secondary, College, University level students as well as partnering with the National Skills Development Center (NSDC). The work experience allow students to learn more about port operations and service delivery, while understanding the day to day operations of the various departments within the organisation.

Internally, SLASPA has a hard-working and dedicated Employee Development and Training Unit that facilitates training and seminars for employees and stakeholders. Last year, over 1300 employees and stakeholders participated in SLASPA led and facilitated workshops and this year, so far over 200 have been exposed to training and workshops in a number of disciplines including customer service, performance objectives, risk assessment in maritime security and court prosecution.

Education at SLASPA is not only in the form of workshops and seminars, but the organisation boasts an active Book Club called “Authority to Read”. The book club was developed to foster a greater sense of appreciation for reading and learning, in addition, through the book club, there have been short story
and essay competitions among employees to provide a forum where they can nurture their creative talents.

The organisation also has an indirect role in the education system in Saint Lucia, as the custodian for the air and sea ports, SLASPA facilitates the importation of educational material and learning tools both academic and athletic to the island. From fabric for uniforms, to books, laboratory and sporting equipment, come through SLASPA’s port with the peak period being in August, just before the opening of the new school year.

For more information on SLASPA’s role in the education system in Saint Lucia pick up a copy of SLASPA in Focus or download a copy at www.slaspa.com.