Officers eye managerial, supervisory roles after training

By JOSHUA MANI
TWO senior female officers from the Public Services Commission (PSC) are eyeing managerial roles as they go through the certificate IV in leadership and management course.
Acting senior legal officer Fiona Yandi and principal investigator Ravugerea Ginis are undergoing the six-month training facilitated by the Business Coalition for Women.
“We were taught effective communication skills, professionalism and being mindful of our surroundings during the first week of training,” Yandi said.
Yandi said she believed the training would boost her confidence and give her a new perspective as a young, emerging professional woman in leadership.
She said it was the mindset of women that hindered their progress both at home and at work, and women needed to learn to deal with their emotions as it would help set a good foundation for them to take up managerial roles.
Ginis said the course was about empowering women to rise to the next level in leadership and management.
She said the fact that there were few women in management roles was largely due to culture.
However, she wanted to see more women believing in themselves and rising to take their place as leaders in society.
Ginis said the course helped her personal development.
“I am beginning to come out of my shell, I feel more confident,” she said.
“The course has enhanced my skills and has empowered me to develop and grow not only in my career but also in my personal life.
“Hence, I must acknowledge my employer PSC and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the support in providing opportunities for women to strive for professional excellence through such training.”
PSC’s backing of the two officers to undergo this programme stems from its aim to up-skill officers to perform their duties more effectively and efficiently and also give officers the opportunity to grow into managerial roles in the commission, offering equal opportunities for men and women.
The course was launched in 2015 by the PNG Business Coalition for Women in collaboration with Wings Education Ltd.
The course aims to meet specific industry needs in PNG and was designed to develop leadership and management skills of women in the workforce to take up supervisory or managerial post.
It targets emerging female talent serving in senior roles to prepare them for their first managerial roles.