From left: Eveliny Arnal-Forde, STEP Barbados Student Liaison Officer; Javier Lemoine, Regional Senior Manager, Tax and Legal at PwC Barbados; Tara Frater, STEP Barbados Chairperson; Imran Ali, Senior Tax Manager/International Tax Expert at PwC Barbados; and Arlene Ross, STEP Barbados Vice Chairperson following the conclusion of the informative session.
STEP Barbados to launch new EPP
The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP Barbados) plans to launch the Employer Partnership Programme, otherwise known as the EPP, at the STEP Caribbean Conference this year, which will take place May 6 -9.
This was announced by the Vice Chairperson of STEP Barbados, Arlene Ross, as she spoke briefly during an informative session that they hosted on “The Common Reporting Standard” at the Yacht Club on Thursday night.
“For a couple of years, STEP has been contemplating a designation that would be the equivalent to the TEP that would be given to the employers and that’s the Employer Partnership Programme,” she said.
“The EPP was introduced after pilot programmes and will be officially launched at the STEP Caribbean Conference here in Barbados. The programme enables STEP to support the professional development of its members and to build upon the credibility of the STEP brand, by means of providing a comprehensive and structured support programme with access to a wide range of resources and support from the STEP professional development team, by means of promoting industry-wide recognition of the STEP accreditation.”
The benefits to employers appear to be countless as she listed that the EPP will provide endorsement of good practice in staff training and development, an enhanced reputation as an employer choice thus providing a recruitment and retention advantage, as well as aid in the motivation of employees which then boosts their engagement, resulting directly to increased productivity and customer satisfaction.
She noted that the employees would also reap some benefits as they can be assured that their employers offer good practices in professional development, offer a clearly defined development pathway and support for career progression, and provides greater opportunities to build personal reputations within the industry through contributing to STEP’s various activities and committees through leadership.
“Who can apply? Any organisation that employs STEP students and STEP members may apply to participate in the programme accreditation; and accreditation will only be granted to those employers that have the necessary learning and development provision in place to support their students and members,” she said.
“How much does it cost? Well the Employer accreditation in the programme is currently free for now. This will be valid for three years and thereafter it will be reviewed.”