Mc Carson Bledman

About the Candidate

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

•        Strategic human resources, employer branding, training development and facilitation skills developed from over three years of experience in HR specialist and leadership roles within the private and public sectors.

•       Certified Master Trainer in the Basic Life & Employability Skills (BLES) Curriculum conducted under the USAID Community, Family and Youth Resilience (CFYR) Program.

•       Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with exposure to courses in Human Development, Guidance Services and Personality, with knowledge of creating an engaging workplace culture acquired while working as the Group Human Resource Coordinator at J.E. Bergasse & Company Limited.

•       Experience providing leadership training, employee coaching and recognition initiatives while working as Deputy Manager: Employee Engagement, Reward & Recognition.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Peer Engagement Coordinator        Nov 2022 – Present

AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) • Ottawa, Ontario

•        Identify training and capacity-building needs for people living with HIV/AIDS in Ottawa (PHAs), and facilitate access to training and capacity-building opportunities to meet these needs.

•        Work with PHAs to develop and implement a work plan to support engagement, capacity building, training, and advancement relevant to PHAs.

•        Establish partnerships with agencies locally and across the province.

•        Be the primary ACO representative for PHA leadership development programs like TTOA, OAN     Leadership etc.

•        Contribute to the organizational development of ACO by identifying gaps, and issues of concern and by promoting change and development that will enhance ACO’s ability to perform its mission/mandate and better meet the needs of the community.

Deputy Manager: Employee Engagement, Reward & Recognition        Jun 2021 – Jan 2022

Millennium Heights Medical Complex • Castries, Saint Lucia

•      Planned employee engagement events, reward and recognition programs, DEI programs.

•      Collaborated with third party training institutions to close skill gaps as part of the organizational strategy.

•      Reviewed, approved, and collaborated on departmental recognition activities to align with the organization’s vision, mission, values, and overall employer brand requirements.

•      Crafted talking points, presentations, and facilitated training on positive workplace culture elements, such as coaching, feedback, engagement, communication, employee and leadership development, etc.

•      Developed, led, and oversaw the internal communication strategy with the Corporate Communications Executive to ensure that communication was packaged for a diverse workforce.

•      Provided coaching to employees to achieve a more positive outcome with work challenges.

Human Resources Officer                                                               Nov 2020 – Jun 2021

Peter and Company Distribution • Castries, Saint Lucia

•      Identify current and prospective staffing requirements, prepare and post notices and advertisements, and collect and screen applications.

•      Co-ordinate and participate in selection and examination boards to evaluate candidates.

•      Collaborated with the Executive Team to ensure quality management practices and supported the aims and values of PCD by providing professional HR guidance to all levels of employees.

•      Provided support during union negotiations, inclusive of preparation of research, presentations and strategizing approaches with management.

•      Spearheaded the company’s annual Long Service Awards amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby creating a memorable experience for the recipients and allowing their colleagues and families to share virtually. This was published in the Caribbean Business Report – Issue 609 on January 25, 2021.

Group Human Resources Coordinator                                           Oct 2018 – Nov 2020

J.E. Bergasse & Company Limited • Castries, Saint Lucia

•      Supported Managers in their communication, feedback, recognition, and interaction with employees while ensuring that they were communicating successfully, ethically, honestly, and legally.

•      Took the lead in implementing a performance management system that included Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) and employee development initiatives, such as frequent one-on-one meetings and performance clinics.

•      Introduced and Chaired the Culture & Engagement Committee (CEC), which was geared at developing an engaging workplace culture through dialogue and culture strategy. This resulted in greater involvement of staff in workplace activities and a deeper sense of belonging and appreciation, which in turn assisted in improved employee-company relationships.

•      Collaborated with the Managing Director and other department heads on strategies to improve the effectiveness of the Corporate Social Responsibility Program: Youth Empowered to Shine (Y.E.S.), which now includes student empowerment visits to schools and participation in career fairs.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science Degree: Psychology (Hons)                          May 2013 – Jul 2018

University of the Southern Caribbean • St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago

Associate Degree: Applied Arts – Business Administration         Sep 2009 – Dec 2011

Sir Arthur Lewis Community College • Castries, Saint Lucia

SKILLS

•      Project Management

•      Strategic Thinking

•      Leadership

•      Process Improvement

•      Training and Development

•      Writing, Editing, and Communication

•      Employee Engagement

•      Community Development

•      Change Management

•      HR Compliance

•      Microsoft Office Suite

•      Canva Design Software

•      Adobe Acrobat DC Pro

•      HR Metrics and Analytics

VOLUNTEER WORK

Steering Committee Member                                                                    Dec 2022 – Present

Black Gay Men’s Network of Ontario (BGMN) • Ontario, Canada

The Black Gay Men’s Network of Ontario is a centralized hub for same-gender-loving men of African, African diaspora, Afro-Latino, Caribbean and Black identities, operating from Toronto as an independent and autonomous entity.

Our goal is to provide cultural, intergenerational and mentorship opportunities, leadership, self-development and empowerment as well as activism support aimed at improving the lives of Black queer people in Ontario.

Development Volunteer                                                                      Jun 2022 – Present

MAX Ottawa • Ottawa, Ontario

I provide support, collaborate and lead where necessary on projects geared at the development of gay, bi, trans, two-spirit, queer (GBT2Q) guys. Currently focused on supporting, organizing and co-facilitating at a queer African, Caribbean, and Black social discussion group.

Volunteer                                                                                             Apr 2022 – Nov 2022

AIDS Committee of Ottawa • Ottawa, Ontario

I provide support on various projects, events, activities geared at supporting people living and at risk of HIV/AIDS.

Education Volunteer (Children & Youth)                                          Aug 2019 – Present

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States • Castries, Saint Lucia

Providing development support through knowledge-sharing and technical assistance. This was initiated in 2019 when I served as a youth representative on the Technical Working Group to review the OECS Guidance Counsellors Handbook now the OECS School Counsellors Handbook. The support to the Education Development Management Unit (EDMU) is ongoing in reviewing policies, providing feedback etc.

Education Committee Member                                                       Mar 2018 – Aug 2019

Saint Lucia National Youth Council • Castries, Saint Lucia

I supported the mandate of the Education Committee to co-ordinate educational initiatives of the NYC, synchronizing efforts of the NYC with local, regional and international organizations towards the education of Saint Lucian youth.

Executive Committee Member                                                       May 2018 – Nov 2019

Juniors Under Mentorship Program (JUMP) • Castries, Saint Lucia

Providing mentorship opportunities for youth through academics, music, sports and the arts.

Deputy Chair, Education Committee                                              Sep 2019 – Jan 2021

Saint Lucia National Youth Council • Castries, Saint Lucia

Collaborated with the Chairperson in providing leadership to the education committee in fulfilment of the mandate of the Education Committee to co-ordinate educational initiatives of the NYC, synchronizing efforts of the NYC with local, regional and international organizations towards the education of Saint Lucian youth.

Radio Announcer                                                                              Dec 2010 – Jul 2014

Prayz FM Radio • Castries, Saint Lucia

Hosted regular daily radio segments and other radio shows. This included planning and preparation for these slots and selection of guests etc. I also provided voice-overs for advertisements and promotions.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1st Place College Debate Winner                                                                            2017

Champion of the History Fest 2017 Debate against the University of the West Indies (UWI) History students in opposition of the moot that the study of history is the worthwhile.

Rookie of the Year Award                                                                                        2019

Awarded to the employee who has exceeded company expectations within the first 2 years of employment.