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National job fair urgently needed- Hon Andrew A. Fahie

- said the gap between employers & the unemployed needs to be bridged
Opposition Leader and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie has called for an urgent national job fair to bridge the gap between employers and the unemployed. Photo: VINO/File
According to Opposition Leader and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie, daily he is solicited by many employers to assist them in finding persons who are seeking employment. Photo: VINO/File
According to Opposition Leader and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie, daily he is solicited by many employers to assist them in finding persons who are seeking employment. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL) has reportedly been told of the urgent need for a national job fair by Opposition Leader and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie, but has reportedly not acted on the suggestion to date. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL) has reportedly been told of the urgent need for a national job fair by Opposition Leader and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie, but has reportedly not acted on the suggestion to date. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Noting that feedback received from employers and persons seeking jobs show that there is a great divide between the two, Opposition Leader and First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie has called for a national job fair, which he said must be done urgently.

In a statement released today, March 2, 2018, Hon Fahie said as he daily traverses through different parts of the Virgin Islands, he is solicited by many persons to assist them in finding jobs.

“Their words to me from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke are that they cannot find a job or they need me to please help them to find a job. I continue to try my best to do so despite the limited resources made available to me as a Member of the Opposition.”

On the flip side, Hon Fahie stated that daily he is also being solicited by many employers to assist them in finding persons who are seeking employment.

“The employers continue to state to me that they cannot find persons to employ.”

National job fair the solution

The solution at this time, according to the Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), is for Government to stage a National Job Fair.

“This National Job Fair must be held for a few days or weeks until every sector that conducts business in the BVI is represented. This would allow our people in the Virgin Islands who are seeking jobs or career changes, including those taking free courses at HLSCC, to be present to benefit from this initiative.”

The first two days of the National Job Fair, according to Hon Fahie, can be for the construction industry, with the next two days being for the marine industry, followed by the other sectors.

He said the venue for the fair can be selected by the Government, but it must be at a central location on Tortola.

“This same effort must be repeated on Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Doing nothing cannot be an option, and we know the results when one does the same thing over and over expecting new results.”

Idea already presented to Premier Smith

The Opposition Leader and former Education Minister, Hon Fahie, said his idea of a National Job Fair was already shared with Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), however, no action has been taken.

Premier Smith when asked about the job fair in the House of Assembly on March 1, 2018 stated that he could not just commit to having a national job fair without consulting the Minister of Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) and the Department of Labour, because they have procedures in place for such things.

Meanwhile, according to Hon Fahie, “Once we as a Territory take care of all our people that are currently in the Territory as best we can, then we will have a better picture of the skill set which must be allowed into the Territory and under what stipulations.”

Hon Fahie added that the journey ahead calls for a clear vision and is presenting “this urgently needed National Job Fair,” post Hurricane Irma, as one crucial component of such.

He urged the Labour, Immigration and Trade Departments to work in concert with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Ministry of Education, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and the Premier's Office to work hand in glove in this proposed initiative.

“Although we may be separate as fingers, we must become one as a hand in our rebuilding efforts post Hurricane Irma. Let us get it together and move in unison as a people in one direction: FORWARD!”

12 Responses to “National job fair urgently needed- Hon Andrew A. Fahie”

  • Hmm (02/03/2018, 16:26) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHEN ARE WE GOING TO UNDERSTAND THIS GOVERNMENT DOESN'T LOVE US!
  • ... (02/03/2018, 16:28) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep on them fahie
  • watcher (02/03/2018, 17:44) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    In every other country I know , the labour department also acts as an employment exchange. I have never understood why that is not the case here.
  • Melania Trump (02/03/2018, 18:48) Like (8) Dislike (14) Reply
    It's not plagiarism, these are my words, I promise! This is differnt from Walwyn does. I Swear! I actually endorse Myron's iniatives :)
    • @Melania Trump (02/03/2018, 19:50) Like (11) Dislike (12) Reply
      PLEASE read the article. It is about post Hurricane Irma. Also this is about bringing everyone together for one common goal not about trying to make Myron alone look good.
  • NezRez (02/03/2018, 19:53) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    We are one country where everyone is hurting, and this back and forth arguing between both parties is so freaking immature. Why don’t they both come together as one for now and work on rebuilding our homeland. This constant childlike bickering is causing us nothing but more stress. Our leaders should act like responsible parents and strive to help their children prosper and feel a sense of worth, not let them see constant fighting and watching the home break down around them to the point they feel there is no where to turn. This is actually what is happening in a lot of homes, and children cannot get away from it even watching our leaders. Come on, you have to do much better than this...it’s embarrassing.
    • To NezRez (02/03/2018, 21:46) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      People like you does confuse me and annoy me. Here the man is bringing a solution and one that is very good, but you call it arguing between both parties. This proposal is timely and needed but we all know that the NDP takes advice from no one and will ignore it because it didn't come from an NDP member. That's the sad part that you should be concern about. I am not always supportive of Fahie but give jack his jacket man, Fahie is on to something here.
    • Talents (02/03/2018, 21:51) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Most of the workers that got laid off who are in the market looking for jobs are very talented. There is a lot of talent out there..
  • ASKING (02/03/2018, 20:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can't they list the names of the companies who I'll be taking part in the job fair?
  • Eupho (02/03/2018, 21:47) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mske sense.. I would like to see the Government recognized and reward those companies that bent over back wards and make sacrifices to keep their staff after the Storm.Just to name a few.. One Mart, Supa Value, Bobby'_s While big companies who could afford to keep their staff refuse to make the sacrifice...
  • Diplomat (03/03/2018, 08:06) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
    Clearly, there is a disconnect here. On a 1x2 territory where employers are looking for employees and employees are looking for work, yet nothing happens. Really! What is wrong with this picture? It is either that employers are offering wages well below what locals would accept knowing that there are willing expats to grab the low ball rates. Or that employees demand unreasonable wages. Why does government have to put on a job fair? Find a venue, invite employers, publicize the location and date(s).......etc and lets role? . Job fair should last a couple of days; better on weekend.
  • ausar (04/03/2018, 12:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why dont the employers list their openings on this website alongside with email addreses so that persons can review without having to go into the intimidating atmosphere of the Labour Department


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