Public Works Department

Published 22nd April 2008, 10:18am

Hailing from Jamaica, with several years' experience in construction and mechanical engineering instruction, Levi Allen has joined the Public Works Department (PWD) as their new training, development and safety officer.

A Kiwanian and past Circle K International member, Mr Allen lives by the mantra, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well."

"The greatest joy for me is working with people," he said. "I firmly believe that what one does for others, in this life, is the only thing that will remain."

One of Mr Allen's first projects, since joining PWD, has been establishing their training and resource centre. It will house a library, 15 computers, and a classroom fitted with state-of-the-art presentation equipment.

He's also responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring an occupational health and safety plan; assisting human resources with evaluations and needs analysis; and identifying training opportunities that will improve staff competencies.

"We have so many training needs," PWD Director Max Jones explained. "And his background in the academic and vocational fields will definitely help with our staff development efforts."

Before joining PWD, Mr Allen was the training manager for the Human Employment and Resource National Training Agency's (HEART) Tool and Engineering Institute in Jamaica. Prior to that he worked as the head of HEART's mechanical, electrical and plumbing section, and was also a lecturer at the Brown's Town Community College.

He has a master's degree in engineering management from Florida International University in Miami, as well as a diploma in technical education, and a bachelor's degree in industrial technology, from the University of Technology in Kingston, Jamaica.