Public Works Department

Published 17th April 2018, 12:11pm

Levi Allen of the Public Works Department (PWD) is the Cayman Islands Government Employee of the Month for January 2018, an accolade he has received for his pursuit of excellence in talent development.

The Training, Development and Safety Officer was nominated by PWD’s Director Max Jones for his work on three major projects that were outside the ambit of his job description:

• managing PWD’s successful pilot Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme,
• establishing the Department’s Group Life & Accidental Insurance Policy, and
• since 2015, acting as manager of the National Community Enhancement (NiCE) Programme that provides temporary employment for Caymanians in December.

In fact, the apprenticeship programme received national attention recently when PWD was recognised by the Cayman Islands Society of Human Resource Professionals (CISHRP) for having the ‘Best Training Programme’ in the Cayman Islands for 2017.

Mr Allen began working with PWD in May 2008 as Training and Development Officer. In 2015 the post was upgraded to include safety.

He was instrumental in developing the Pilot Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme, which began in 2016, by engaging stakeholders, including the Education Ministry and Department, Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC), contractors and PWD employees in training and mentoring apprentices.

To arrange the curriculum and interview the participants, Mr Allen liaises with City and Guilds. The pilot programme started with five young Caymanians who were later awarded City and Guilds certification in 2017. The programme has since expanded to 15 apprentices in both level 1 and level 2 programmes and is expected to grow to include 30 apprentices later this year.

Levi Allen, Employee of the Month for January 2018, receives his certificates from Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and Chief Officer Alan Jones. Also pictured are PWD Director Max Jones and Leyda Nicholson-Makasare, Deputy Chief Officer in the Ministry of Commerce, Planning & Infrastructure.

Alan Jones, Chief Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, under which PWD falls, highlighted some of the qualities Mr Allen demonstrates in his work: “Congratulations to Mr Allen for being selected as the EOM. He is a truly exceptional and invaluable employee. He is willing and able to take on any task that the Director asks of him, always immersing himself fully into the subject matter and producing excellent results. His work and dedication in relation to the outstanding PWD Apprenticeship Programme – an initiative he has led – is worthy of particular note.”

Deputy Governor Franz Manderson praised Mr Allen for his commitment to training and development and determination to pursue excellence, saying “You bring the ‘Wow!’ factor to work with you every day. In addition to playing an important role within your Department, you come up with great ideas on how PWD can improve its day-to-day operations and make the lives of others better.”

Mr Manderson continued, “This programme is an excellent example of innovation in the service beyond the Department by expanding into the community to employ young Caymanians and upskilling them.”

You can read further details on the revamped Deputy Governor’s Award Programme and how it has been aligned to our 5-Year Strategic Plan for a World-Class Civil Service here.