Retirement is a milestone that Mrs. Jennifer Smith embraces “happily”.

On Thursday, 1 March, at Grand Old House, the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment wished farewell to Mrs. Smith, Acting Director of the Department of Employment Relations.

She has been a civil servant for over 25 years, having started out in the Ministry of Education as an assistant to the Permanent Secretary in 1994.

From this role, Mrs. Smith flourished in the civil service, eventually being appointed Secretary to the Education Council and taking on the management of Cayman’s tertiary education scholarship programme.

While in this position, Mrs. Smith represented the Cayman Islands at many international conferences and workshops. She is also credited with being a part of the team that coordinated and facilitated the country’s first international college fair.

Minister of Education, Training and Employment, the Hon. Rolston Anglin, who was in attendance for the farewell luncheon, said, “Mrs. Smith has been a wonderful member of the civil service team. Her strides in developing the scholarship programme have given us a basis to build and expand on.”

He continued, “Mrs. Smith will be missed greatly in her role as Acting Director of DER. We wish you the best in your future endeavours.”

Echoing the Minister’s sentiments, Chief Officer Mary Rodrigues also wished Mrs. Smith all the best.  She said, “I wish Mrs. Smith the very best for her retirement.  She has left a lasting impression not only on DER but the civil service on a whole.  Her 25 plus years in dedication to the government are something to be admired.”

Mrs. Smith was grateful for the farewell celebration and stated, “Even though I have been preparing for this day and am looking forward to many more happy years enjoying family, volunteering, pursuing several personal interests, the inevitable sadness which comes with parting is here, and it will be a few weeks before I get the daily angst of work out of my system.”

She continued, “My parting advice is never be cynical about your job and approach what you do with love. Prepare well for your retirement, so when it arrives you can exit happily.”

(GIS)

Photo captions Photo by Ministry of Education, Training and Employment

Hon. Rolston Anglin, Minister of Education, Training and Employment, presents Mrs. Jennifer Smith with a Certificate of Gratitude.