As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, Radio Cayman is counting on the community that it serves to invest its talent and skills in the further development of the national broadcaster.

Radio Cayman has been experiencing challenging times when it comes to recruiting skilled Caymanians as broadcasters, despite the availability of funding for media studies.

Acting Director of Broadcasting Norma McField said the government-run station has not been able to attract the right number of nationals for the vacant posts.

“We have received very little responses and most from people who are particularly trained in broadcasting,” she said. 

“We’re always on the look out for Caymanians who have media training. We’re too small to be able to train those who don’t have the skills,” she said.

Ms McField said she did not know why qualified locals have been shying away from working for Radio Cayman. 

In demand at the station are news reporters, sales executives and managerial personnel who have moved on for various reasons.

Hardest hit is the newsroom, which is served by experienced broadcasters and editors Sheena Carten and Jay Ehrhart. 

The search is on for an editor to replace Joel Francis who progressed to Assistant Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education about seven months ago and for a Director of Broadcasting.

Loxley Banks, who headed the station as Director of Broadcasting, retired a couple months ago, leaving his deputy Ms McField to juggle two positions.  

Among the major achievements of the station are the high esteem by which it is held in the community, its programming and expansion in coverage, according to Ms McField.

Radio Cayman, which operates Radio Cayman One and Radio Cayman Two, broadcasts to Grand Cayman on 89.9 FM and 105.3 FM and to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman on 91.9 FM and 93.9 FM.

It has provided extensive coverage of national events, such as the Queen’s Birthday Parade in June, Pirates Week Festival in October, and Remembrance Day Service in November.

Coverage of community activities and the rebroadcast of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly add to its credits of community focused broadcasting. In spite of Government funding, the national broadcaster generates revenue from advertisements and sponsored programmes.

Ms McField said despite the Island having over 15 radio stations, Radio Cayman is regarded as the most credible source of information and in the process praised the close to 20 staff for their professionalism.

“Even if someone hears the news on another radio station or reads the newspapers, they still call Radio Cayman to verify it,” she said. 

The 24-hour broadcast entity has plans to make programme changes on Radio Cayman Two 105.3 FM as a result of feedback from its listeners.

She listed other achievements of the station as full computerisation of its on-air studios, traffic (sales) system and other departments. 

Radio Cayman first went on-air during the Easter of 1976 and the official broadcast began on 12 December of that same year.

The station’s around the clock offering includes BBC World Service between midnight and 6:00 am on Radio Cayman One and a magical mix of music on Radio Cayman Two.

The station also delivers the most extensive and credible local, regional and international newscasts in the Cayman Islands, according to its management.

Several public and private organisations have lauded the station for its invaluable service to the Island as could be seen by the numerous plaques that adorn one of its many walls.

“The Cayman Islands Government gratefully acknowledges Radio Cayman for its dedication above and beyond the call of duty in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan,” said one plaque. 

Last Friday, the station held an open house at its Elgin Avenue location and a thanksgiving church service on Sunday at the Chapel Church of God on Academy Way off Walkers Road in George Town. 

Scores of residents patronised both events, which brought the curtains down on the celebratory weekend of the station.