The Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service launched a cross training programme in mid June allowing legacy custom officers and legacy immigration officers to be trained in the areas of Laws, Regulations, Policy & Procedures in their respective border areas at our airports known as Check Point 1 and Check Point 2. Check Point 1 is the first point of contact for the traveler where travel documents are shown and Check Point 2 relates to the area where officers review passenger baggage and conduct searches when necessary.
CBC Director Charles Clifford stated “Cross training is a critical component of the agency merger project which commenced in on February 1st, 2019 and I am happy to see it progressing”.
“CBC’s viewpoint is that cross training is an effective way to build employees’ skill sets while ensuring organization resilience and maximum coverage of key responsibilities. The training program allows a more formal and organized process to prepare employees to do more than a single job” states CBC Training and Development Manager, Jenifer Gager-Sterling.
The cross training program is designed to offer learning and development opportunities to staff, increase internal knowledge, know-how skills and work performance, improve understanding of the CBC Law, Regulations and procedures for legacy Immigration and legacy Customs and to enhance teamwork and staff engagement. Additionally, aspects of WORC immigration laws were also incorporated to show the symbiotic relationship with both entities.
“By cross training employees, they are empowered with additional knowledge which can become a powerful tool within the organization in achieving strategic and professional development goals for the officers” states Deputy Director of Management Support Services, Marlon Bodden.
Over 30 officers completed the two coherts and some sessions were held simultaneously, one at the CBC Headquarters and the other at CBC Elgin Avenue location. The training offered both theoretical and practical classes, but due to the airport being closed, the practical classes were done on a limited basis.
The CBC officers currently assigned to airport duty were the target group for both cohorts one and two. The training ended on July 9th and August 13th respectively.
Chief Officer Wesley Howell for the Ministry of Employment & Border Control said “the Customs and Border Control Department is led by a Director who believes in lifelong learning and professional development. I was excited to see so many CBC staff members follow the Directors’ lead and work hard to excel in the recent cross-training and professional development programs.
The officers who completed the training are improving their expertise in the application of Border Control and Customs laws and techniques. They also worked to improve investigatory skills and law enforcement procedures that will improve their capabilities, and that of CBC as an organization.”
CBC Director Mr. Charles Clifford further indicated that the training will continue to be offered for the next few years.
