作者: admin

  • Tent managers raise concerns over Pic-O-De-Crop finals venue shift

    Tent managers raise concerns over Pic-O-De-Crop finals venue shift

    Barbados’ most anticipated annual calypso competition, the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, is at the center of growing industry concern after a last-minute venue change forced by preparations for the state funeral of national hero Sir Garfield Sobers. What was originally scheduled to take place at the large, purpose-built Kensington Oval has been moved to the smaller CARIFESTA House in Waterford, and key stakeholders from across the calypso community are questioning whether the new site can meet the event’s unique scale and technical requirements.

    While all parties have expressed full respect for the need to honor Sir Garfield’s legacy and accommodate the funeral proceedings, industry leaders say the sudden shift has created a cascade of logistical and operational hurdles that threaten to compromise the quality of the island’s flagship calypso event. Sharon Carew-White, manager of the C.O. Williams House of Soca Tent, described the timing of the announcement as unexpected but understandable, noting that the priority placed on the national hero’s funeral is widely shared across the country. Even so, she warned that the smaller CARIFESTA House venue comes with significant limitations that cannot be addressed properly on such a tight timeline.

    Barbados’ already limited pool of event service providers and technical personnel, Carew-White explained, makes rapid overhauls of the new space extremely challenging. Drawing on lessons from last weekend’s Junior Monarch competition held at the same venue, she pointed out that major adjustments to infrastructure, security, and layout will be mandatory to host the senior finals. Performers who spent weeks designing large, elaborate stage props tailored to Kensington Oval’s expansive stage now face the last-minute requirement to scale down their creative concepts to fit CARIFESTA House’s smaller footprint. Key concerns also extend to core competition needs: seating capacity, stage dimensions, and acoustic quality, all of which are critical for a judged performance event where visibility and sound clarity can impact final results.

    Carew-White has put forward an alternative proposal: postpone the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals until the Sunday following Sir Garfield’s funeral, which would allow the event to remain at its originally planned Kensington Oval location. Compounding the scheduling challenge, she added, is that several members of the competition’s official festival band also play with the Police Service Band, which is currently focused entirely on rehearsing for Wednesday’s state funeral. That leaves just two full days for the band to prepare for the calypso finals if the event proceeds on its original date.

    Eleanor Rice, manager of the Kooyman All Stars Calypso Tent, echoed Carew-White’s concerns, emphasizing that the new venue is simply too small to accommodate the event’s typical turnout. Last year’s finals drew roughly 7,000 attendees, a crowd that cannot be safely or comfortably hosted at CARIFESTA House without major, rapid infrastructure changes. Like Carew-White, Rice also publicly supported the proposal to postpone the competition by one week to retain the original Kensington Oval location.

    Barry Knight, president of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA), which represents hundreds of calypsonians across the island, said the venue change sparked vigorous debate among the organization’s membership. While BACA acknowledges that the decision was made in response to the regrettable passing of a national icon, Knight is calling for far greater transparency from event organizers. He is urging officials to publicly outline exactly what adjustments will be made to CARIFESTA House to meet the competition’s needs, including any new infrastructure or layout changes that will be implemented to address stakeholder concerns and reassure performers and attendees alike.

  • AT&LU Gains Bargaining Rights for WIOC Supervisors

    AT&LU Gains Bargaining Rights for WIOC Supervisors

    In a significant development for organized labor in Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) has earned formal designation as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for supervisory employees at the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC), one of the nation’s largest corporate entities.

    Official confirmation of the appointment came via a formal certificate issued by Labour Commissioner Eltonia David on July 23. The documentation verifies that a majority of WIOC’s supervisory workforce cast their votes in favor of AT&LU taking on the representative role. Under the provisions of Antigua and Barbuda’s national Labour Code, this official designation grants the union sole legal authority to negotiate on behalf of the covered supervisory employees in all workplace and employment-related matters.

    AT&LU President Bernard de Nully formally welcomed the new group of WIOC workers into the union’s ranks in remarks following the certification. He emphasized that the organization is fully prepared to robustly advance and protect the professional interests of the supervisory staff during upcoming collective bargaining negotiations with WIOC company leadership.

    Beyond the immediate benefits for the workers involved, de Nully framed the appointment as a strategic milestone for the union. The selection expands AT&LU’s organizational footprint at WIOC, a major economic player in Antigua and Barbuda, while also addressing a longstanding gap by giving the facility’s supervisory personnel formal, legally recognized representation for their workplace concerns.

  • Competition begins for Barbados at CAC Games

    Competition begins for Barbados at CAC Games

    Barbados’ 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games journey got underway in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, with badminton marking the island nation’s first competitive action of the multi-sport event. The opening matchup against Venezuela ended in a 4-1 defeat for the Barbadian national side, though it produced one bright highlight for the delegation: veteran men’s singles player Kennie King secured his country’s only win of the tie, battling past Venezuela’s Ricardo Torres in three hard-fought sets 21-18, 11-21, 21-5.

    In the women’s singles draw, Barbados’ Monyata Riviera fell in straight sets to Venezuela’s Mariangel Garcia, 14-21, 19-21. King and his men’s doubles partner Shae Martin could not overcome their Venezuelan opponents, dropping the match 15-21, 15-21. Riviera and Sabrina Scott, competing in women’s doubles, also lost in straight sets 14-21, 18-21. The final contest, mixed doubles, saw Venezuela claim another victory as Martin and Scott fell 10-21, 19-21 to the Venezuelan pairing.

    Beyond the badminton court, the Barbadian delegation of more than 140 athletes, with a total support and competitor contingent of roughly 200 people, has been settling into the CAC Games environment across multiple host cities. Chef de Mission Dr. Adrian Lorde, speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY from his base in Santo Domingo, reported that the team’s morale remains strong despite the opening result and logistical adjustments required for the tournament.

    “Batches of competitors are still arriving, but I’ve been really impressed with the team’s spirit and resilience,” Lorde said. “Conditions here are quite hot, and we’ve had some variation in accommodation, but the group has settled in far better than expected.” Many early-arriving athletes have already begun on-ground training for their upcoming events, Lorde confirmed. The men’s hockey squad has already held a public warm-up scrimmage against the host Dominican Republic team, while shooters have reported to their venues, and swimmers and tennis players arrived in country Wednesday night. A formal team welcome ceremony for the Barbadian delegation is scheduled for Wednesday evening in the main CAC Games Village.

    The 2024 CAC Games, which will run through July 24 to August 8, are expected to welcome roughly 6,000 athletes from across the region to compete in a full slate of sporting events. Lorde noted that Barbadian representatives have quickly built camaraderie with competitors from other participating nations, with athletes swapping national pins and connecting in shared training and accommodation spaces.

    Unlike most delegations concentrated in the main Games Village, Barbados’ team is spread across multiple host cities to align with event venues: the rowing team is based in a separate municipality, golfers are competing out of Punta Cana, and other groups are stationed in Santiago. Lorde acknowledged that event organizers have faced early logistical growing pains, commonly referred to as teething problems, as they prepare for the full duration of the games. “The organizing committee is doing everything possible to address these early issues, and we’re all ready to compete,” he said. “We have no complaints at all about the quality of the competitive facilities, which are top notch. While the Games Village is still being finalized and isn’t quite at the level we would have hoped for this early in the event, the food has been excellent. All things considered, things are looking really good for our team moving forward.”

  • VACANCY: Clerical Assistant – Lifelong Learning Unit

    VACANCY: Clerical Assistant – Lifelong Learning Unit

    One of the Caribbean’s most prestigious higher education institutions, The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC), has announced an open vacancy for a full-time Clerical Assistant position within its Lifelong Learning Unit, inviting applications from all suitably qualified candidates across the region and beyond.

    The successful applicant will take on a diverse range of core administrative responsibilities critical to the smooth operation of the unit. Key duties include the systematic upkeep of institutional records, physical files, and digital information systems; timely retrieval of key documentation such as student mark sheets and admission application forms; systematic receipt and initial processing of documents submitted by current and prospective students and other external stakeholders; collation, sorting, and distribution of institutional correspondence and materials; coordination of office supply requests to maintain steady departmental operations; dissemination of accurate, up-to-date information to customers and stakeholders in a timely manner; logistical and administrative support for the preparation of unit-hosted seminars, academic conferences, and university award ceremonies; management of incoming telephone calls and responses to routine public enquiries; and support for travel bookings and itinerary arrangement for departmental staff and visitors as required.

    To be considered for the role, candidates must meet a set of mandatory qualification and experience requirements. A minimum of five passing grades in CXC or GCE O’ Level examinations is required, with passes in both Mathematics and English Language as non-negotiable prerequisites. Applicants must also have at least three years of full-time work experience in a similar clerical or administrative role. Additional core competencies include advanced proficiency in common computer software, internet-based administrative tools, and strong interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a fast-paced, customer-centric workplace.

    All interested candidates must submit a complete application package, which includes a filled-out official UWI employment application form, a detailed curriculum vitae outlining all relevant qualifications and professional experience, contact information (full names and mailing addresses) for three professional references (with at least one reference from the applicant’s current employer), and certified copies of all academic qualifications listed in the application. Completed application packages must be submitted via email to the institution, addressed to the Manager of the Employee Success Department within the Office of the Campus Registrar at UWI Five Islands Campus, located in Five Islands, St. John’s, Antigua.

    The institution has set a firm application deadline of July 31, 2026. The candidate selected for the role will be required to begin their official duties at the Antigua-based campus on September 1, 2026. The posted salary range for the position falls between 27,099.51 Eastern Caribbean dollars and 33,843.73 Eastern Caribbean dollars per year.

    UWI FIC notes that while the university appreciates interest from all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further screening and interviews. For additional information about the campus or the role, interested parties can contact the institution at (268) 484-3900 or visit the official UWI Five Islands Campus website at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu.

  • VACANCY: Functional Analyst

    VACANCY: Functional Analyst

    A leading international technology solutions provider has publicly announced a new full-time opening for a skilled Functional Analyst to join its growing product development team based in its downtown headquarters. The role is designed to bridge the communication gap between organizational stakeholders, business operation units, and technical development teams, turning complex business requirements into clear, actionable functional specifications for engineering staff.

    Key responsibilities outlined for the position include conducting in-depth interviews with cross-departmental stakeholders to map existing business processes, identify pain points in current workflows, and document actionable improvement opportunities. The successful candidate will also be tasked with creating detailed functional requirement documents, leading user acceptance testing protocols, and collaborating closely with software developers to ensure final product deliverables align with core business objectives. Additional duties include post-implementation review, troubleshooting functional issues, and updating system documentation to reflect ongoing process changes.

    Required qualifications for applicants include a minimum of three years of professional experience in a business analysis or functional analysis role, a strong working knowledge of agile development methodologies, and demonstrated skill in process mapping and requirement modeling. Candidates must also possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate productive discussions between technical and non-technical team members, as well as a bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, information systems, or a related field. Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and data visualization tools is listed as a strong preferred qualification.

    The company is offering a competitive compensation package that includes a base salary aligned with industry standards, performance-based annual bonuses, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, professional development stipends, and flexible hybrid work arrangements. The posting notes that the company is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Applications are currently being accepted through the company’s official careers portal, with a deadline for submissions set for four weeks from the posting date.

  • VACANCY: Administrative Assistant- Exams Unit

    VACANCY: Administrative Assistant- Exams Unit

    One of the Caribbean’s most prestigious higher education institutions, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, has opened applications for a full-time Administrative Assistant role within its Examinations Unit, operating under the Office of the Campus Registrar.

    Located in Five Islands, St. John’s, Antigua, this position offers a competitive annual salary ranging from Eastern Caribbean $32,519.65 to $48,735.33, commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and professional experience. The successful hire will report directly to the Assistant Registrar for Examinations, and take on a diverse set of core responsibilities that support the campus’s core academic operations.

    Primary duties for the role include delivering comprehensive administrative support to the Assistant Registrar to ensure consistent alignment with UWI’s institutional policies, rules and regulatory frameworks governing examination operations. The role also requires hands-on support for all logistical and administrative preparations ahead of examination periods, coordination of on-the-ground arrangements during exam cycles, and assistance with compiling, verifying and publishing final student results. Additionally, the Administrative Assistant will contribute to the planning and execution of the campus’s annual Graduation Ceremonies, manage transcript request processing and official transcript issuance, support the printing and distribution of formal degree certificates, oversee inventory management and issuance of academic gowns for events and students, and provide full administrative support for Boards of Examiners meetings—including drafting meeting documentation, recording official minutes, and distributing post-meeting follow-up materials. The role also involves supporting the scheduling of final institutional examinations, responding to student and faculty queries related to examination timetables, and completing any other job-relevant tasks assigned by the Assistant Registrar for Examinations.

    To be considered for the position, candidates must meet a set of clear essential qualification and experience requirements. All applicants must hold a minimum of an accredited Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Business Administration, Educational Administration, or a closely related academic field. Candidates are also required to have at least five years of professional experience in administrative support roles, with preference given to applicants who have gained this experience in a post-secondary or higher education setting. The university notes that completed accredited academic degrees above the minimum educational requirement may be substituted for professional experience on a case-by-case basis.

    All interested candidates must submit a complete set of application materials, including an official UWI employment application form, a detailed curriculum vitae outlining all qualifications and professional experience, contact information for three professional references (one of which must be a current employer or supervisor), and official copies of all academic qualifications. Application packets must be submitted via electronic mail to the university, addressed to the Manager of the Employee Success Department within the Office of the Campus Registrar at UWI Five Islands Campus.

    The deadline for all applications to be received is July 31, 2026. The selected candidate is scheduled to begin their official duties on Antigua’s campus starting September 1, 2026. UWI notes that while the institution appreciates interest from all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for next steps in the hiring process. For general inquiries about the campus or this vacancy, candidates can reach the institution at (268) 484-3900 or visit the official website at fiveislands.uwi.edu.

  • VACANCY: Campus Counsellor

    VACANCY: Campus Counsellor

    One of the Caribbean’s most prominent higher education institutions, The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC), has publicly announced an open vacancy for a full-time Campus Counsellor position within the Office of the Campus Principal. This key student support role comes with a competitive annual salary ranging from 102,021 to 109,866 Eastern Caribbean dollars, reflecting the institution’s commitment to investing in qualified mental health and student development professionals.

    The selected candidate will take on a core mission: to deliver holistic support that empowers UWI FIC students to get the most out of their entire university journey. The campus counselling department serves the entire UWI FIC community, addressing a wide spectrum of personal, academic and mental health concerns through a multi-faceted service model. Core responsibilities include delivering confidential one-on-one counselling tailored to individual student needs, facilitating structured group counselling sessions, developing and hosting educational workshops on student wellness and life skills, and advocating for student needs within campus governance and support systems.

    Rooted in a comprehensive, student-centered framework, the role combines direct clinical support with structured developmental programming designed to foster long-term positive growth, emotional resilience and personal development for all students engaging with the service.

    UWI FIC has outlined clear eligibility requirements for candidates interested in applying. A master’s degree in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related human services discipline is a mandatory prerequisite for all applicants. Candidates must also hold a minimum of five years of hands-on professional experience working in counselling or a related field. While professional counselling experience in a college or university setting is not required, it is strongly preferred, as is active licensure in mental health counselling from a recognized regulatory body.

    To complete an application, candidates must submit a full package of application materials, including an official UWI employment application form, a detailed curriculum vitae outlining all relevant qualifications and professional experience, contact information for at least three professional references (with one reference coming from the candidate’s current or most recent employer), and official copies of all academic transcripts and degree certifications. All application materials must be submitted via electronic mail, addressed to the Manager of the Employee Success Department within the Office of the Campus Registrar at UWI Five Islands Campus, located in Five Islands, St. John’s, Antigua.

    The institution has confirmed that the successful applicant will be expected to officially begin their duties on Antigua’s UWI FIC campus starting September 1, 2026. As is standard for public university recruitment processes, UWI FIC notes that while all applications are appreciated, only candidates shortlisted for the role will be contacted for further screening and interviews. More information about the institution and this role can be found on the official UWI Five Islands Campus website, or by calling the campus main line at (268) 484-3900.

  • Police Commissioner Urges Businesses to Surrender Cash, Not Risk Their Lives

    Police Commissioner Urges Businesses to Surrender Cash, Not Risk Their Lives

    A deadly armed robbery that claimed the life of a veteran small business owner has prompted Jamaica’s top law enforcement officer to issue a stark, life-saving warning to commercial operators across the country: surrender cash to armed robbers rather than risk a fatal confrontation.

    Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers made the public recommendation in the immediate aftermath of Thursday morning’s shooting that killed 60-year-old Eleazer “Fresshy” Francis, a long-time supermarket owner based in Freeman’s Village. The tragedy unfolded just after 8:30 a.m. along the community’s main road, where Francis ran his daily grocery operation.

    According to initial police accounts, two male suspects pulled up in a silver vehicle before exiting and walking into Francis’s supermarket. Reports indicate a confrontation broke out between the suspects and Francis, ending with the business owner being shot fatally at the scene.

    Speaking to reporters during a press briefing hours after the incident, Jeffers emphasized that life will always carry more value than any amount of money stolen by criminals. When law enforcement officers are not immediately available to intervene, he said, compliance is the only rational choice for business owners facing armed threats.

    “No amount of money costs your life. If you find yourself in a situation like this and there’s no police around, just turn over the money. Your life is more valuable,” Jeffers told reporters. He added that law enforcement would far rather work to solve a completed robbery than investigate a preventable homicide, a sentiment that underscores the gravity of the recent rise in violent armed robberies targeting small businesses.

    Beyond his core warning, Jeffers also shared a practical security tip for merchants: reduce the potential incentive for robbers by limiting the volume of cash stored on business premises, with regular cash drops that clear out registers throughout the day.

    To address growing public safety concerns ahead of the upcoming Carnival holiday, a peak period for local business activity and tourism, Commissioner Jeffers confirmed that police are rolling out expanded security operations nationwide. The enhanced measures will include more frequent foot and vehicle patrols across high-traffic commercial areas, plus the reallocation of additional law enforcement personnel to communities across the island to deter criminal activity and respond faster to incidents.

  • VACANCY: Accounts Receivables Clerk

    VACANCY: Accounts Receivables Clerk

    One of the Caribbean’s most prestigious higher education institutions, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, has announced an open vacancy for a full-time Accounts Receivables Clerk within the Office of the Campus Bursar, inviting applications from all suitably qualified professionals seeking to join the institution’s administrative and finance team.

    The role comes with a competitive annual salary ranging from $27,099.51 to $40,612.01, and the hired candidate will be tasked with a broad set of core finance responsibilities critical to the campus’s daily financial operations. Key duties include accurately posting and documenting all customer payments and transactions tied to UWI Five Islands Campus’ accounts receivable portfolios, generating and distributing invoices to enrolled students and other external debtors, and processing multiple forms of payment including cash, cheques, and credit transactions from these account holders.

    Additional daily responsibilities include preparing regular bank deposits for all funds collected each working day, reconciling total collected cash against the receipts issued on a daily basis, investigating and resolving discrepancies in customer accounts and addressing outstanding past-due balances, managing document organization including copying, filing, and retrieving accounts receivable records, updating digital financial records in the campus’s central Financial Management System, communicating any relevant information updates to relevant staff, departments, and campus stakeholders, and carrying out other role-related duties as assigned by the finance office leadership.

    To be considered for the position, candidates must meet a set of core mandatory requirements. These include holding an associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or another closely related relevant field, or an equivalent professional qualification recognized by the university, plus a minimum of one year of prior hands-on experience working in an accounting or financial role. The hiring committee notes that candidates with additional relevant skills will receive priority consideration: these include prior professional experience working with accounting software and formal financial information systems, as well as advanced, proficient working knowledge of the full Microsoft Office Suite.

    All applicants are required to submit a complete set of application materials, including a filled-out official UWI employment application form, a detailed curriculum vitae that outlines full qualifications and professional experience, contact information (full names and physical addresses) for three professional references (one of which must be from the applicant’s current employer), and official copies of all academic qualifications. Submissions must be sent via email and addressed to the Manager of the Employee Success Department at the Office of the Campus Registrar, The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, located in Five Islands, St. John’s, Antigua.

    The university has confirmed that the successful candidate will be expected to begin their official duties at the Antigua campus on September 1, 2026. As is standard for UWI hiring processes, the institution extends gratitude to all applicants for their interest, but notes that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for subsequent interview stages. For more general information about the campus and its job opportunities, candidates can reach the university by phone at (268) 484-3900 or visit its official website at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu.

  • VACANCY: Administrative Assistant -The Office Of The Campus Registrar

    VACANCY: Administrative Assistant -The Office Of The Campus Registrar

    One of the Caribbean’s most prestigious higher education institutions, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, has announced a vacant full-time position for an Administrative Assistant within the Office of the Campus Registrar, and is now accepting applications from eligible, experienced professionals across the region.

    The role comes with a defined annual salary range spanning from 32,519.65 Eastern Caribbean dollars to 48,735.33 Eastern Caribbean dollars, aligned with the university’s standard compensation frameworks for administrative staff. The selected candidate will report directly to the Campus Registrar, and take on a diverse set of core responsibilities that keep the registrar’s office and campus governance operations running smoothly.

    Key duties for the position include delivering comprehensive administrative support to the Campus Registrar, coordinating all logistics related to the registrar’s scheduled appointments and work-related travel arrangements, and supporting all administrative workflows for campus governance committees. This support covers critical tasks such as official minute-taking during meetings, secure document storage, and organized electronic and physical filing systems. The role also requires close collaboration with other team members in the registrar’s office to advance campus-wide special initiatives, drafting and preparing official correspondence and institutional documentation for the office, establishing and updating long-term office files and records, organizing and facilitating both internal meetings and campus special events, and completing any additional job-relevant tasks assigned by the Campus Registrar as needed.

    To be considered for the position, applicants must meet a set of clear qualification and experience requirements. The minimum educational standard is an accredited bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, including Business Management, Business Administration, Educational Administration, or other closely related disciplines. Candidates are also expected to have a minimum of five years of professional experience providing high-level administrative support, with preference given to candidates who have previously worked in an administrative role at a higher education institution. Notably, the university allows completed post-minimum academic credentials from an accredited institution to be substituted for required professional experience, creating more pathways for highly educated early-career professionals to apply.

    All interested candidates must submit a complete application packet that includes a filled-out UWI official employment application form, a detailed curriculum vitae outlining all qualifications and professional experience, contact information for three professional references (one of which must be from the applicant’s current employer), and official copies of all academic transcripts and degree certifications. Application materials must be submitted via email to the university’s recruitment team, and addressed to the Manager of the Employee Success Department at the Office of the Campus Registrar, UWI Five Islands Campus, located in Five Islands, St. John’s, Antigua.

    The university has confirmed that the successful candidate will be required to begin their official duties in Antigua on September 1, 2026. In line with standard UWI recruitment practices, the institution extended its gratitude to all prospective applicants for their time and interest, noting that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further interviews and screening. For additional information about the campus or the recruitment process, applicants can visit the official UWI Five Islands Campus website at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu or contact the institution’s main line at (268) 484-3900.