At the HRMAB 30th Anniversary Awards Gala, held at the Sandals Resort Ballroom under the theme ‘Celebrating Excellence: Advancing People,’ Dr. Allyson Leacock issued a compelling challenge to human resource professionals. She urged them to take bold actions within the next 90 days to create a workforce that is less fearful of the future, more skilled, inclusive, and prepared for upcoming challenges. Dr. Leacock emphasized the global evolution of work, highlighting the growing demand for analytical and creative thinking, AI proficiency, and data literacy. However, she also underscored the enduring importance of human skills such as leadership, empathy, and lifelong learning. She advocated for a shift towards valuing skills and ongoing certifications over traditional degrees, job titles, and tenure, stating, ‘Skills are the new currency.’ Dr. Leacock encouraged HR professionals to develop dynamic skills taxonomies, recognize micro-credentials, and benchmark roles based on competencies rather than titles. She also stressed the need for continuous learning, supported by data from the World Economic Forum, which predicts the reskilling of many workers by 2027. Dr. Leacock called for a cultural shift from compliance to high performance and growth, emphasizing the importance of clear goals, continuous feedback, fair rewards, and visible growth pathways. She warned against the mindset of ‘everything is awesome,’ which fosters mediocrity, and reminded the audience that ‘potential is not perfection.’ Wayne Sobers, Chief Labour Officer, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the transformative impact of globalization, technological advancements, and economic changes on the workforce. He proposed targeted training, leadership development programs, ethical HR practices, and continuous learning as essential initiatives for workforce development. Sobers emphasized that effective human resource management is crucial for sustainable enterprises and national progress, aligning HRMAB’s efforts with the government’s vision for social and economic transformation. HRMAB President Tisha Peters also called for HR professionals to become strategic partners and change agents within their organizations. She urged them to leverage data, align with organizational goals, and lead proactively. Peters emphasized the importance of mentorship for preserving the profession’s legacy and announced the launch of the ‘HRMAB Arni Walters Scholarship for Human Resource Excellence’ in honor of the late HRMAB trustee. The scholarship, sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank, will be administered by the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus starting in 2026.