**Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson,M.P.
Minister of Financial Services and Investments**
As jobs change and re-training is needed at an increasing rate, more and more managers and team leaders not only look to training for their employees, but also are being called upon to conduct in-house programmes formerly done by experienced trainers.
To this end, the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) and the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services (BIFS) are collaborating to sponsor a half-day “Training Orientation” programme on Tuesday, November 18, in the Gulfstream Room of the Nassau Beach Hotel. This Forum will begin at 8:30 a.m., and is intended to provide the opportunity, in one place, for Managers to learn about the professional development programmes on offer.
The half-day session will include presentations from selected members of the Professional Industry Association Working Group (PIAWG), namely the Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers, the Bahamas Fund Association, Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants, Bahamas Institute of Financial Services, Bahamas Society of Financial Analysts, Insurance Institute of the Bahamas, and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. The College of the Bahamas also will present on relevant School of Business programmes.
This programme is being offered to members on a free-of-charge basis. The Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Minister of Financial Services and Investments, will present opening remarks.
Operating in the highly competitive environment of the global economy, The Bahamas can continue to be a leader in financial services only through the provision of superior service. This training outreach is part of an ongoing “Financial Centre Focus” programme through which BFSB and the PIAWG have been focusing on:
· Developments in the industry
· The importance of high service standards
· Enhancing relationships between the financial services industry and the community
· Attracting and maintaining qualified industry professionals
In 2001 BFSB established the Professional Industry Association Working Group as part of its commitment to draw on all stockholders and gatekeepers in the development of strategies and long-term plans for the financial services industry.
A key focus of this Working Group has been training initiatives, and early on a representative from the College of the Bahamas’ School of Business was co-opted to serve along with the representatives from the industry associations. BFSB has coordinated several very successful programmes in collaboration with the PIAWG and the College of The Bahamas.