Caribbean Energy Shift Puts People First

The Caribbean’s energy sector is changing fast, and utility leaders say the real challenge isn’t new technology, it’s people. At the CARILEC conference, the focus shifted from solar panels and grid upgrades to building a skilled, adaptable workforce. Industry leaders say the region can’t hit its energy goals without stronger communication, better collaboration, and serious investment in training. CARILEC’s Cletus Bertin and LUCELEC’s Omari Frederick told us the future of Caribbean energy will depend as much on teamwork and talent as on infrastructure, making a people‑first approach the new blueprint for the power sector.

 

Cletus Bertin, Executive Director, CARILEC

“This conference really sets the tone. It’s our first conference for the year every year. And it is focused on issues related to human resource management, corporate communications, or public relations and customer service. So we’ve guided practitioners in those areas from across the region to share experiences, learn from experts and best practices. And basically to build up a camaraderie and network of learning and sharing and supporting each other. And this is important because the respective utilities across the region are in a transitional phase. So they’re transforming the business models, they operational structures – moving from the traditional fossil fuel to more high renewable energy penetration. And these transformations are not just technical, they very much are centered on people. In terms of attitudes and skill sets and roles and responsibilities and how we communicate to internal stakeholders and external stakeholders.”

 

Omari Frederick, Corporate Communications Manager, St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd

“One of the critical things that we do, apart from the learning, the engagement, the various soft skill topics, one of the poignant parts of the conference is the opportunity for utility updates where every single utility presents on their achieve, their challenges from a human resource, corporate communications and customer service standpoint. It gives us the opportunities, I said in my earlier comments to really exchange to learn about the challenges that we are facing, to look at the things that we are doing that have an impact. So collectively we can do what we need to do. And I want to also say that utility companies are not just responsible in providing power. Each of us in our respective right is responsible for economic and social progress in the country. Without power, we can’t move. It’s an enormous responsibility and the more we can come together, unify, exchange ideas, best practices, the better we are individually and collectively.”

 

Leaders say a people‑first strategy is what will keep the Caribbean’s energy transition moving forward.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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