The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) has successfully concluded its 2025 Professional Learning Series with the completion of two major training programmes aimed at strengthening skills, building competencies, and enhancing professional confidence across the tourism and hospitality sector.
The final offerings in the series were the 6-Week Supervisory Management Leadership Development Course and the 8-Week Maintenance Course: Electrics and Basic Maintenance, both of which attracted strong participation and positive feedback from industry professionals.
The Supervisory Management Leadership Development Course, hosted virtually, delivered six weeks of interactive and practical training under the guidance of Ms. Shirlene Nibbs, a highly regarded tourism and hospitality training expert with more than three decades of industry experience. The programme focused on developing essential leadership capabilities, including effective communication, performance management, workplace relationships, and other core supervisory competencies.
Participants were encouraged to examine real-world workplace challenges through new perspectives, fostering collaborative learning and practical problem-solving. Zorah Beazer, Claims Manager – Life and Medical Division at State Insurance Company Limited and a participant in the course, described the experience as transformative. She said the programme exceeded her expectations, providing valuable insights into managing workplace situations more effectively, and praised Ms. Nibbs for facilitating meaningful discussions enriched by the diverse experiences of participants.
Reflecting on the programme, Ms. Nibbs said she thoroughly enjoyed facilitating what was the largest cohort to date. She noted that participants demonstrated high levels of motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment throughout the six weeks. Their final presentations, delivered through creative formats including poetry, PowerPoint, and team exercises, showcased tangible development, observable behavioural changes, and a strong standard of professionalism. Ms. Nibbs also expressed appreciation to Ms. Anthea Watkins and her support team for their administrative and logistical support, which she said exemplified collaborative excellence.
In addition, ABHTA successfully wrapped up the 8-Week Maintenance Course: Electrics and Basic Maintenance, which was held at the Sandals Merrick Fray Training and Development Centre. The hands-on programme was facilitated by Mr. Kim Burdon, an aircraft maintenance engineer with over 35 years of experience in aviation and facilities management.
Participants received practical instruction in key technical areas including basic electricity and magnetism, motor theory, wiring and circuit controls, refrigeration fundamentals, and testing and troubleshooting techniques. Donald Bennett, a Maintenance Technician at Curtain Bluff Antigua who took part in the course, described it as highly informative and worthwhile, commending Mr. Burdon’s hands-on teaching approach and encouragement to continuously advance technical skills.
Mr. Burdon said the past two months had been deeply rewarding, noting that maintenance is a wide-ranging and fascinating discipline. He expressed a desire to expand future training to cover a broader spectrum of facilities and equipment maintenance, emphasizing the importance of passing on knowledge to the next generation of professionals.
The completion of these two programmes formally brings the ABHTA’s 2025 Professional Learning Series to a close. The Association said the initiative has played a key role in elevating industry standards and reinforcing workforce excellence within Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector.
The ABHTA extended sincere appreciation to the programme facilitators, participants, and member properties, as well as to the management and staff of Sandals Grande Antigua. Special thanks were also conveyed to Ms. Carlene Spencer of Sandals Grande Antigua for her support in facilitating the Maintenance Course.
Reaffirming its commitment to continuous professional development, the Association said it looks forward to expanding its training offerings in the coming year.
