Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — Minister of State for the Public Service, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle inspired the inaugural cohort of the Public Service Professional Engagement Program (PSPEP) in Grand Bahama on Monday, November 14, 2022 to imagine the public service as a step towards an amazing career and not just a means to a paycheck.

Minister Glover-Rolle was bringing remarks on what was the start of a three-day orientation seminar at the Foster B. Pestaina Center.

The minister gave the 76-member cohort a brief history of the program, formerly known as the 52-week program, and her transformation agenda for a reimagined, remodeled program, hence the new name.

She acknowledged that the program had a stigma of having people with no skills, drive or career endeavors; and pointed out that the PSPEP professionals, skilled and unskilled, are afforded the opportunity to be directed in a career path through the public service over a 52-week period.

At the end the 52 weeks, Minister Glover-Rolle told the cohort, their expectation should be that they will be employed in the public service.

“What that means is at the end of your 52 weeks, which is your orientation/apprenticeship period, your expectation should be that you’re going to be engaged as a public servant. The only way that shouldn’t happen is because of you, because of your performance, not because of a failure or flaw in our system,” she said.

As the Ministry of Public Service is the human resources arm of The Government which handles all recruitment, hiring and training, Mrs. Glover-Rolle stressed that it is important that the engagement process is thorough and that the ministry sets each employee up to win via an orientation which ensures that they are fully aware of the function and operation of the Public Service.

“When you come into this program, you’re going to be placed based on either your skillset, your qualifications or your interest,” Minister Glover-Rolle said, while adding that the Public Service offers training free of charge.
 

“Never stop learning, that’s how you move up in the service.
Once you all come into the public service, your goal should be to be the Permanent Secretary. Now everybody won’t be that, but that means your goal should be to get to the top, and unapologetically,” she said.

Minister Glover-Rolle encouraged the cohorts to think of how they can lend their skills, expertise and intelligence to the Public Service while at the same time leaving a mark and being a part of shaping the nation.

She also envisions a Public Service where the expectation of customer service is exceptional.

“Politicians like me, we come and go, we’re temporary. But public servants are permanent; you are the technical people that are going to do the work to make any politician, any government shine. You are the nation-builders when it comes to doing the work, the technical work in our public service, so you have to own it and you have to do it with pride,” she said.

While congratulating the cohort, Minister Glover-Rolle encouraged them to take full advantage of the program as it is a great opportunity and investment government is making in them so they can secure their future.

“There are hundreds more persons outside of this room who would like to be sitting where you’re sitting. So make the most of this moment. Give your best self and when you give your best, when you give good energy, good energy comes back to you,” the minister said.

During the three-day orientation, the cohorts will hear from several presenters who will speak on the Role and Structure of Government and the Role and Function of the Public Service; the role and function of The Commission in the Public Service, ethics and code of conduct in the Public Service, the role of the Public Treasury, Human Resources matters and general orders, the role of the Public Service Union and mental health and wellness in the workplace.