Please be advised that the previously announced visit of Minister Jeffrey Ellick to the UK has been delayed. This delay is due to a processing issue in South Africa, which is currently being addressed.
#StHelena #ElectedMembers #Overseasvisit
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On Thursday 20 March 2025, the Education Skills and Employment Portfolio (ESE) presented a successful Careers Fair 2025. The fair provided a valuable platform for members of the public, students, and job seekers to explore career opportunities on St Helena.
Held at New Horizons Leisure Park and the Mule Yard, the fair provided all attendees with a chance to meet employers face-to-face and gain a real insight into the requirements for different careers on the island. The fair also highlighted opportunities available and allowed participants to market themselves to prospective employers.
Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, delivered brief remarks before Interim Portfolio Director for ESE, Marie Horton, officially declared the fair open.
The Chief Minister said:
“This day has been generated for you; whether you are a student entering the work environment, an individual progressing in your chosen career or indeed those who wish to undertake a changed career path or simply someone looking for inspiration or confidence to pursue a business idea. This is your day!”
“I hereby encourage you to seize the opportunities that Careers Fair 2025 has to offer you. Be the positive change in your life. Always remember that opportunities don’t happen, you create them.”
Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, encouraged attendees to utilise the fair to engage with the businesses and organisations and to recognise the different possible career pathways available to them.
Support Officer (SHCC) Carley Peters said:
“Career’s Fair 2025 was designed to equip attendees with essential career advice, showcase exciting job opportunities, and foster overall professional development.
We really hope everyone found valuable insights throughout the day! It was fantastic to see such a great turnout, and the atmosphere was buzzing with enthusiasm! A huge thank you to everyone who played a part in making this event a success. Here’s to more great career-building experiences!
Businesses and organisations taking part in the fair included various SHG portfolios and sections, Legislative Council, Judicial Services, Connect Saint Helena, Sure Saint Helena, Solomon and Company (St Helena) Plc, St Helena Brewery, the Saint Helena National Trust, Bank of St Helena, Smudge Dog, Audit St Helena, Peaks Enterprises, Rose and Crown, and SHAPE.
Presentations were delivered by representatives of the Graduate Scheme, Marine Conservation, St Helena National Trust, Emergency Care, Royal St Helena Police, Health and Social Care, and the St Helena Fire and Rescue Service.
Demonstrations throughout the day were delivered by the St Helena Fire and Rescue and Emergency Services in the Mule Yard.
Photos
Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, delivers opening remarks
SHAPE display
Members of the St Helena Research Institute team at their stall
A model of a Raw Water System at Red Hill, displayed at the Connect Saint Helena stall
Peaks Enterprise Stall
Solomons Employee Progression Display
St Helena Brewery Stall
Legislative Council Stall
Members of the St Helena National Trust at their stall
SHG Occupational Therapy Team Display
Emergency Planning and Royal St Helena Police
HM Prison Stall
ENRP displays at the Mule Yard
Vanessa Thomas-Williams at the Terrestrial Conservation Stall
Agriculture Display
#StHelena #Education #CareersFair2025
Please be advised that following requests from the public and to improve efficiency of the Public Transport Service (PTS), there will be changes made to the Route 3 timetable effective from Thursday, 27 March 2025.
Currently, the journeys departing from White Gate going into Jamestown are via Rosemary Plain, New Ground. As from Thursday, 27 March 2025 they will travel in the opposite direction, the bus will therefore pass through Red Hill at approximately 07:09 in the mornings, 13:46 for the mid-day run and again at 19:46 for the late shift, before going onto New Ground, Cleugh’s Plain, Rosemary Plain, Scotland, White Gate and then into Jamestown as per the revised timetable.
Departure times leaving Jamestown, along with the Tuesday and Thursday routes to Thompson Hill will remain the same.
The PTS timetables will be updated to reflect these changes and posted on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/publictransportservice/.
The St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to announce the launch of a public consultation on the proposed Communications Bill 2025, which aims to modernise the island’s telecommunications regulatory framework to support digital transformation and economic growth.
Modernising St Helena’s Digital Infrastructure
The Communications Bill 2025 will replace the outdated Telecommunications Ordinance 1989 and establish a modern regulatory framework essential for maximising the benefits of the Equiano fibre optic cable connection that was activated in October 2023.
Minister for Treasury and Economic Development, Mark Brooks said:
“This legislation represents a crucial step in St Helena’s digital journey, with the island now connected to high-speed fibre, we need an appropriate legal framework to ensure these benefits reach all residents and businesses while supporting economic development. I thank the public for their patience while officers have been working hard to review and update the new Communications Ordinance. I encourage everyone to engage with our team to help ensure this new legal framework meets the needs of all.”
The Bill implements the Policy for Communications, Networks and Services, approved by the Executive Council in 2020 and reaffirmed in 2024, focusing on a wide range of issues including:
The consultation seeks feedback on whether the draft legislation accurately reflects the previously approved policy objectives and how implementation might affect stakeholders.
The consultation document and draft Bill are available on the Public Consultation page on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/public-consultation/.
The consultation period will end onWednesday 16 April 2025. Any questions or views on the draft Communications Bill 2025 may be submitted to Portfolio Assistant, Alexandria Thomas, via email through Alexandria.Thomas@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Following the consultation, responses will be reviewed by the Attorney General’s Chambers, with necessary amendments made before the Bill proceeds to the Legislative Assembly. The government aims to enact the legislation by June 2025.
Notes to Editors
#StHelena #DraftCommunicationsBill2025 #PublicConsultation
With effect from Tuesday, 01 April 2025, the Central Support Service will introduce an additional journey to the Public Transport Service from the Blue Hill area to Jamestown and return. The journey will operate from Monday to Friday and is scheduled to arrive at the Grand Parade, Jamestown, at approximately 08:17 and commence the afternoon journey from the Grand Parade at 16:10.
Monthly tickets will be available for those who wish to take advantage of this new public transport opportunity.
For further information about this service or to register your interest in purchasing a monthly ticket, please contact Head of Transport, Nicholas George, on 23643 or via email at Vehicle.Fleet@helanta.co.sh by no later than Thursday, 27 March 2025.
The St Helena Maritime Authority is issuing a notice to all boat users and the public regarding a missing navigational aid near the Papanui wreck.
The Isolated Danger Mark buoy, used to mark the location of the Papanui wreck, is currently missing from its fixed position. This buoy is identifiable by the following characteristics:
All boat users are urged to be particularly vigilant and on the lookout for this missing buoy. It poses a potential obstruction within the Jamestown harbour area and potentially further offshore.
Furthermore, all mariners are reminded to exercise additional caution when navigating in the vicinity of the Papanui wreck, especially during high tide. The reduced visibility of the protruding wreck at high tide may increase the risk of incidents.
The St Helena Maritime Authority is working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the safety of all water users is paramount. Please remain cautious and report any sightings of the missing buoy to the Strategic Harbour Master Port Manager, Simon Lee, by telephone on 22750 or via email through simon.lee@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Photo
Boat users and the public are asked to be on the lookout for the missing buoy (pictured above)
The Notice to Mariners – ‘Missing Papanui Wreck Buoy’ can be viewed here.
Following notification from the Home Office in the UK, the following British passport fee increases will take effect from 10 April 2025.
| Current Fee | Increased Fee | |
| Adult 34-page standard passport | £112.50 | £120.50 |
| Child 34-page standard passport (where the applicant is under 16 years of age). | £77.00 | £82.50 |
The public are advised that the MV Hondius is due to arrive at St Helena from Tristan da Cunha on or around Sunday 13 April 2025.
Individuals expecting to receive potatoes from Tristan da Cunha are reminded that a valid import licence is required.
Application forms for these licences are available from the Biosecurity Section at Scotland. To obtain an application form or for any related enquiries, please contact Biosecurity Assistant, Tania Maggott, via email through tania.maggott@sainthelena.gov.sh or Biosecurity Officer, Julie Balchin, on julie.balchin@sainthelena.gov.sh. Alternatively, telephone 24724 for enquiries.
Applications for import licences will close on Friday 28 March 2025 at 14:00. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.
Payment of £10 for each licence required can be made to the Bank of St Helena using account number 61000003 or at the Customer Services Centre at the Post Office. Please quote “Fresh Produce Import Licence”. The Cost code for payment will be 26-2632-014-00450 if being paid at the Customer Services Centre.
Applicants are reminded that proof of payment is required before a licence can be issued.
On 21 January 2025, Executive Council approved the Financial Services Regulation Policy 2025. The Financial Services Regulation Policy aims to modernise selected parts of our financial services regulatory framework. It is driven by the Sustainable Economic Development Strategy (SEDS) 2023-2033, as well as SHG’s Vision and Strategy.
The SEDS states that “SHG has identified that St Helena’s financial services laws and regulations require reform and modernisation in order to encourage competition within the sector and support economic growth. There are substantial gaps in current legislation. SHG’s objective is to enhance the financial services landscape by removing barriers to entry, while working toward compliance with international best practice and recommendations.” It notes that comprehensive reform and updates to existing financial services laws and regulations are required in order for St Helena to achieve its development goals.
The Financial Services Regulation Policy 2025 has four key objectives:
The objectives are all inter-related. In particular, success in making St Helena a commercially attractive destination for financial services businesses in turn requires a more modern regulatory framework to cope with the needs and expectations of new businesses, especially overseas owned or managed businesses which choose to establish a presence in St Helena. In addition, the regulatory architecture helps to fulfill the customers’ needs of improved consumer protection measures and high-level service standards, in turn increasing the confidence and accountability within the financial service sector.
Minister Mark Brooks commented:
“The Financial Services Regulation Policy 2025 is an essential step towards improving the financial services landscape. The policy’s specific aim is to modernise SHG’s financial sector, which includes broadening the access to services and products for residents and investors. With regulations and policies in place to enable smooth, safe investment in financial services, this policy supports an enabling environment that allows people and businesses to thrive. The improved framework is designed to attract new firms to establish themselves in St Helena, positioning the island as a strategic base for delivering financial services to global customers. This aligns with the government’s broader vision of becoming ‘Altogether Wealthier’ by fostering a thriving financial services sector while upholding the highest standards of international regulatory compliance.”
Should members of the public wish to provide feedback on the policy, please contact Economic Development Portfolio Assistant, Alexandria Thomas, via email through alexandria.thomas@sainthelena.gov.sh.
This policy is now available on the Public Information, Reports and Policies page of the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Financial-Services-Regulation-Policy-2025.pdf.
#StHelena #FinancialServicesRegulations #EconomicDevelopment
HM Customs would like to advise the public that their offices will be closed today, Friday 21 March 2025, for staff training.
Normal operations will resume on Monday 24 March 2025 from 09:00.
HM Customs would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and the public are thanked in advance for their understanding and cooperation.