ABHTA WRAPS UP 2025 TRAINING SERIES WITH KEY COURSES
Monday 15th December 2025
St. Johns, Antigua, Monday 15th December 2025 — The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) announces the successful completion of two training programmes that concluded the 2025 Professional Learning Series. The 6 Week Supervisory Management Leadership Development Course and the 8 Week Maintenance Course: Electrics and Basic Maintenance equipped participants across the sector with strengthened skills, enhanced competencies, and renewed professional confidence.
Supervisory Management Leadership Development Course
Hosted virtually, the Supervisory Management Leadership Development Course delivered six weeks of essential and interactive training, led by Ms. Shirlene Nibbs, a respected tourism and hospitality training expert with more than 30 years of industry experience.
Participants explored vital leadership competencies, including effective communication, workplace relationship management, performance management, and other core supervisory skills.
Zorah Beazer, participant of the Supervisory Course and Claims Manager – Life and Medical Division at State Insurance Company Limited, shared her experience:
Participating in this Supervisory Management course has been an invaluable experience. I must admit that at first I was unsure of what to expect and thought the course would involve a lot of reading. However, nothing compares to the opportunity to view workplace challenges from new perspectives and to become better equipped to address them effectively. Ms. Nibbs did an exceptional job in delivering the content and facilitating discussions that encouraged us to consider multiple viewpoints from her expertise and from the shared experiences of my classmates. I learned a great deal and intend to apply these insights in any role I undertake.
Ms. Shirlene Nibbs, course facilitator, reflected on the programme:
As the facilitator of the ABHTA Supervisory Management Leadership Programme, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and challenge of facilitating this years record number of participants. It was a journey of passion and enthusiasm by all participants. We were able to raise the bar on this product as it had immense value to a wide cross section of business sectors.
Throughout the six weeks, the participants were highly motivated and demonstrated this consistently. Their feedback at the last session, presented in poetry, PowerPoint, and team presentations, highlighted positive experiences of observable behaviours and development. The participants were of a high standard and put in the work to achieve success. Sincere thanks to Ms. Anthea Watkins and her support team for administrative and logistic assistance that exemplified collaborative excellence.
Maintenance Course: Electrics and Basic Maintenance
ABHTA also successfully concluded its 8 Week Maintenance Course: Electrics and Basic Maintenance, held at the Sandals Merrick Fray Training and Development Centre. This hands on programme was facilitated by Mr. Kim Burdon, an aircraft maintenance engineer with more than 35 years of experience in aviation and facility management. Participants engaged in core areas of Electricity and Magnetism, Motor Theory, Wiring and Circuit Controls, Refrigeration Basics, and practical Testing and Troubleshooting.
Donald Bennett, participant of the course and Maintenance Technician at Curtain Bluff Antigua, shared:
I found the course very informative and worthwhile to me as a Maintenance Technician. Mr. Burdon often encouraged us to take our skills to the next level. His guidance and hands on teaching made the sessions clear and engaging. I look forward to more training with Mr. Burdon in the future.
Mr. Burdon also reflected on the experience:
Maintenance is a fascinating subject that covers many areas. These past two months have been enjoyable, sharing what I know with others. With Gods will, we can offer more diverse courses covering a wider spectrum of facilities and equipment maintenance. I enjoy teaching, and as the graveyard is a great repository of lost knowledge, I intend to pass on all I have before that time comes.
These two programmes officially conclude the ABHTA 2025 Professional Learning Series, which delivered comprehensive training opportunities aimed at elevating industry standards and strengthening workforce excellence across the tourism sector.
The ABHTA extends sincere appreciation to the facilitators, to the management and staff at Sandals Grande Antigua, and to Carlene Spencer of Sandals Grande Antigua for her support with the Maintenance Course. Appreciation is also extended to all participants and member properties whose contributions ensured the success of these training initiatives.
The Association remains committed to fostering continuous professional development and looks forward to expanding its training offerings in the coming year.
For more information, please contact the ABHTA Office at 462 0374 / 462 4928 or email abhta@antiguahotels.orgfor training inquiries.
