TPDConnect TPDConnect April 2018 | Page 2

FROM THE Editor’s Desk I t’s spring again and a great time for spring cleaning; starting a containerized garden or just popping something in the soil to add to our food security. A quarter of the year has passed by rather quickly and it presents an opportunity to take stock of the resolutions made in January. Are you on target or have we been blindsided. Remember all our goals should be time bound or else we end up going around in circles. We can be proud of the on-going achievements of TPDCo and while we cannot chronicle everything here I would like to single out the JCTI and the TSEA. Both have far reaching implications and both are planks in the human capital development pillars for tourism growth. Have we ever considered what it means to an individual who has been doing a job for some time but is unable to move forward in the organization and command a higher salary because of lack of certification? Or those who have graduated and are not sure where to turn? I witnessed the JCTI graduation and the sense of accomplishment erupted in the room it was a steady flow “irie” feelings. Participants were validated and had a genuine feeling of pride and joy It was a particularly heart- warming moment for both Ministers Bartlett and Reid and the tourism family who came out to celebrate and we share some of those highlights with you in this edition of TPDConnect The TSEA also gave us much to talk about. Although Hyatt Ziva Zilara and Mikhailla Robinson took the cake, the 21 semi-finalists are all winnners in my book, we share with you a snapshot of that exciting event. In addition we take a peek into the personality of Julian Patrick and share a moment with with our resident socialite Simone Bennett. A history lesson is in the making and I am definitely going to try Audley’s home-made granola recipe. I invite you to share some of the other tasty treats inside this edition of TPDConnect. I leave you with the words of Winston Churchill who said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Enjoy reading and be sure to give us your feedback. One Love Marline 2