MMS to stage ‘Lessons from COVID-19’ conference

Manpower & Maintenance Services Limited Group (MMS) is to stage a conference titled ‘Lest We Forget, A Time Like No Other – Lessons From COVID-19’, today and tomorrow at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston.

“This conference is for anyone interested in learning about how Jamaica, as a nation, coped with COVID-19; how the business, health, tourism, education and other sectors survived the challenges of the virus; and for those who wish to get information from the experts on the changes resulting from the pandemic, as well as the policies and strategies for the future,” CEO of MMS Don Gittens said.

“COVID-19 is still with us, and it is therefore important for us to take stock of where we were at the start of the pandemic four years ago, where we are now, and to plan for the future, as it is not whether other public health challenges will arise, but when,” Gittens added.

He said, “Given the nature of our business at MMS, we believe that it is important to invite the experts to share their insights in a conference setting as the nation, as well as our organisation, clients and others plan and strategise for the way forward.”

Presentations will be made by qualified representatives from both the public and private sectors, and panel discussions held on subjects including ‘A Time Like No Other’; ‘The Impact of COVID-19’; ‘The Economic Impact of COVID-19’; ‘Lessons Learned and The Next Pandemic’.

The findings of a survey that was commissioned by MMS, sponsored by a number of partnering agencies and conducted by the Caribbean Centre for Educational Planning (CCEP) at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, will also be presented. Led by Professor Canute Thompson, senior lecturer in educational policy, planning and leadership and head of the CCEP, the study examined the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace and how the workforce coped with the challenges of the pandemic.

According to MMS Chairman M. Audrey Stewart-Hinchcliffe, the results of the study should provide, for example, “A clearer insight into issues, including efficiency; working from home, whether the physical separation from the corporate workspace and colleagues affected employees; the impact on relationships with spouses; and the availability and effectiveness of support systems.”

The conference aims to attract participants from both the public and private sectors in a variety of areas, including health, tourism, sanitation, education, occupational health and safety, trade and manufacturing, the media, among others.

The conference is sponsored by Manpower & Maintenance Services Limited Group, HEART/NSTA Trust, and The RJRGLEANER Communications Group, among others.