In September 2014 the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) engaged the services of CARICAD to conduct a Skills Audit, with the primary purpose of identifying the skills and knowledge available to the Agency, vs. those required to deliver its mandate. This exercise was expected to assist the Agency in accurately assigning current staff as well as in recruiting the right people in the identified roles and responsibilities. The assignment covered the CARPHA workforce, located in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Saint Lucia.

The results of the audit provided a comprehensive analysis of the workforce, the level of skills, shortages and trends in workforce practices. The Audit also provided a snapshot of CARPHA’s skills base that would allow identification of specific training needs, prioritization of training and meeting of employee needs and aspirations. This information will enable CARPHA to better plan training and development, define recruitment, selection and retention processes; improve placement decisions based on skill levels; and improve management of career paths and succession planning.