The closing ceremony for the workshop was held on Friday 28th January, 2011, at the H. S. Hanley Training Room, at the Customs Headquarters at Bird Rock.

The 33 Grade Three and Grade Four ranked officers received training in the areas of leadership, border and risk management, and trade facilitation.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Andy Argyle, a retired UK Customs Advisor. Argyle was ably assisted by resource staff of the Government’s Human Resource Department, the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force and the Ministry of International Trade. Together, the group illustrated to the trainees how best international practices may be implemented as they discharge their duties.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Argyle congratulated the diligent trainees on the receipt of “diplomas that were hard earned”. Argyle further encouraged the trainees to continue in pursuit of knowledge and excellence.

Financial Secretary, Mrs. Janet Harris was on hand to distribute the certificates and to make brief congratulatory remarks. Harris said she was delighted to see that the Customs and Excise Department lived up to its Vision Statement – which says in part, “becoming a leading organisation through… investing in our most potential resource through continual training and staff development.”

Course Participant, Mr. Roger Fyfield, Customs Officer Grade Three said that he and his fellow course mates found the training most relevant to their overall development. Fyfield said that he found Argyle to have been a “resourceful, insightful and realistic facilitator”.