ABOUT US
WHAT WE DO
The Trinidad and Tobago Group of Professional Associations Limited (TTGPA) and the Professional Centre had their genesis in funding and support provided by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Commonwealth Foundation.
On the fortieth (40th) anniversary of its formation, the Company published an Historic Booklet to record how the organization came about and those persons and institutions instrumental in its formation on the fortieth. In 2019 the Company celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The Trinidad and Tobago Group of Professional Associations Limited (TTGPA) is a Non-governmental organization, whose membership is open to Professional Associations of Trinidad and Tobago. It was registered in 1974 under the Company’s Act Chapter 31, No. 1 as a Company Limited by Guarantee and continued under the Companies Act, 1995 as a not-for-profit organisation.
TTGPA which manages the Professional Centre is run by a Management Council of fourteen (14) persons, 10 of whom are nominated and elected annually by representatives of member organizations, four selected.
Member Organizations of the TTGPA currently cover the following professions:-
Accountants, Architects, Contractors, Engineers, General Medical Practitioners, Internal Auditors, Registered Nurses, Optometrists, Planners, Real Estate Agents, Surveyors, Dentists, Librarians, Advocates for Women’s NGOs, Pharmacists, Reading Specialists, Advertising Executives, Psychologists and Safety Experts.
The TTGPA had its genesis in 1969, when following initiatives by the Commonwealth Foundation, representatives of a few professional organizations gathered to form the Trinidad and Tobago Group of Professional Associations, operating from office space at The Professional Centre – Trinidad and Tobago.
The Centre was generally intended to promote local professional cooperation, offer practical facilities by way of accommodation and shared secretarial services to professional societies encourage a joint professional approach to problems of education, training, relations with schools and universities and foster collective advice to the Government in the fields of legislation, manpower development and planning.
The first building of the Professional Centre was constructed in 1986 through capital contribution from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, financial assistance from the Commonwealth Foundation and funds from four Member Associations who chose to occupy modules in the building.
A second building was completed in June 2005 and provides accommodation for an additional 11 Member Organizations, the Secretariat and a common Conference facility.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANISATION ARE:
- To promote high standards and ethics among professionals.
- To provide facilities and services by way of conference and meeting places and office space for professionals and groups of professionals.
- To promote and encourage networking and co-operation within the professional community in order to contribute to community and national issues.
- Over the years the Company has been involved in a number of activities and events tied to its core objectives of encouraging high standards and ethics for professionals. The Company has also encouraged its Members to give back to the national community by fostering the spirit of volunteerism, so rare in today’s world.
TTGPA boasts a diverse membership and this has contributed to the stability and sustainability of the organization. The Management of the Company is drawn from the Membership duly nominated and elected annually.
One of the main annual events hosted by TTGPA is Professional Services Day. For this event, professionals from the various Member organizations volunteer service to communities throughout the country. The Company is also involved in Continuing Professional Development and to this end, hosts several seminars during the course of the year for Members and professionals in the public and private sector.