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April 18, 2005 – The Virgin Islands National Guard will observe Safety Stand Down 2005 Wednesday April 20.
Safety Stand Down is an annual event which the Virgin Islands National Guard started to observe in 2001. It is designed to show management's interest and emphasis on the safety and welfare of its personnel in the workplace. The majority of the day is spent on safety events.
"This year's presentation is geared toward lifting the morale and spirit of the whole fulltime force. There is no work," said Safety Specialist Staff Sergeant Sonya Willock. "It is to let us know to feel good about who we are. When you know who you are, you perform better in a carefree environment. When you are stressed, you tend to make mistakes."
The Stand Down could include presentations, documentaries or "anything management deems appropriate for the day. In Alabama and Mississippi they have Stand Down for the whole week. They go all out and do family days," said Willock.
Guest Speaker James (Jimmy) Shafe of Career Training Concepts will be the facilitator for the workshop entitled Understanding Behavior and Social Styles. "Your professional development is never done. No matter what the organization is, a person is required to master new skills if they want to advance their career."
Over the years other clients served were the Coca-Cola Company, Panama Canal Commission, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Bell South, Carnival Cruise Lines and the United States military.
Shafe and his team specialize in creating and delivering customized training. The The Guard's workshop topics will include Understanding Behaviors and Social Styles and Reaction to Stress.
Founded in 1973, Career Training Concepts "exists to help individuals develop a greater sense of balance between spiritual, family and career aspects of their lives. As individuals succeed, their organizations succeed."
Willocks added, "We need to remind ourselves why we are here and look out for each other. You can be working side by side with a person for twenty years and not truly know them or their concerns. Without the motivated support of our full time force working together, there is no effective force."
With deployments on the rise for Virgin Islands forces, it is important for Guard members to develop and maintain cohesiveness between themselves, family members and the community.
Though operations will cease for the duration of the workshop, force protection will remain in place.
For more information on Career Training Concepts visit www.careertraiingconcepts.com.