Bermuda has teamed up with Caribbean human resources organisations to launch a management programme advocating for advancement within the field.

The Bermuda Human Resources Association is the local representative in the Caribbean Institute for Human Resource Management, a non-profit interest group.

It brings together HR working groups represented throughout the region to discuss trends and observations impacting organisations, and the HR profession.

Krystle DaPonte, vice-president of CaIHRM and president of the BHRA, said: “The BHRA is excited to join this partnership, which brings the opportunity for HR associations to become connected and leverage the expertise and life experiences of HR experts whom we may not have ever connected with naturally outside of this group.

“As the world continues to globalise, so should our interest groups.”

The member groups of CaIHRM will maintain their separate identities and retain normal operations. CaIHRM aims to work collaboratively to contribute to the setting of standards for HR practice and qualifications for recognised HR professionals in the region.

Michael McAnuff-Jones, chairman of CaIHRM, said: “We are excited to see this season of collaboration arrive after a long road of conversations and previous attempts.

“Doubtless, the synergies, best-practice sharing and collaboration will enable us to make our way towards securing formal self-regulation and profession recognition status across our countries.”

CaIHRM will be governed by a board of directors of senior HR leaders across the region and will be run by an officer group with a president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer.

Membership includes full members and appointed observers from Bermuda, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos Islands, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis and Sint Maarten.

Cavel St Joseph-Omer, the president of CaIHRM, said: “We see this move as a great opportunity for building bridges in the Caribbean and advance the contribution of the HR profession to human capital development policy in Caricom.”