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VIslanders' minds not conditioned for certain jobs – Hon. Walwyn

December 18th, 2012 | Tags: Jobs unemployment tourism Hon. Myron V. Walwyn minds
Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn said because our minds are not conditioned to do certain jobs, we bring people into the Territory to do those jobs. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn believes that part of the Territory's unemployment problem, arises in his estimation, through a situation whereby Virgin Islanders are not mentally conditioned to do certain jobs; something which has resulted in the introduction of expatriates to the Territory to fill these roles.

“Our people, Madam Speaker, their minds have not been conditioned to do certain jobs, and we must change that…” Hon. Walwyn said. “And because our minds are not conditioned to do certain jobs,” the Hon. Minister continued, “we bring people into the Territory to do those jobs.”

Hon. Walwyn made those comments during the budget debate today, December 18, 2012 during the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Second House of Assembly.

According to Hon. Walwyn, Virgin Islanders have had this misconception for years in the country, and it was one that he felt has done lots of damages to the economy and to the jobs market in particular.

“We give the impression, Madam Speaker, unintentionally I’m sure, that if you do not wear a neck-tie to work and long sleeved shirt… that you are not successful,” Hon. Walwyn expressed. He expressed that must done to eradicate this thought from the minds of persons.

He felt that this created a problem in the country that extended into the tourism sector as well. “If you go around and you check tourism related businesses, our people are the minority in those businesses,” the Minister proposed.

Some of these positions, he added, are very lucrative ones. “...high paying jobs and our people are losing out on those jobs because of this misconception that we have allowed to creep into the Virgin Islands over the past years.”

He also noted that his Ministry would be taking on a very aggressive marketing campaign to dispel those thoughts as preparations are being made for the technical school to come online very soon.

It was for this misconception, the Minister explained, that field trips is a very important component in the tourism curriculum in the secondary schools; he revealed that he told teachers to “take the students out, take them to hotels, take the students to various tourism sites so that they can see tourism in action and they can start to make career choices to get into the field of tourism.”

A recent press release from the Ministry of Education disclosed that the Technical school would be the beneficiary of 30 computers and two network printers as part of an assortment of renovation and remedial works being done on schools in the Territory in preparation for the upcoming school term.

21 Responses to “VIslanders' minds not conditioned for certain jobs – Hon. Walwyn ”

  • Pavlov's moment (18/12/2012, 14:37) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    What nonsense is this? Stop the mental slavery! If you think it, you don't have to say it. Take action to fix the problem. That is a kick in the groin.
  • HtwoO (18/12/2012, 14:45) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    As for the tourism sector, Walwyn - teach every child in our school system to swim!
    Compulsory!
    If our children can't swim, they can't sail and if they can't sail they can't be part of our largest tourist income earner.
    Even if parents are afraid of water, teach a generation of people to be comfortable with the ocean around us and doors will open to closer involvement with the industry we sell to the world.
    And our children will value the ocean environment that much more, so it might help us protect it, instead of destroying it for all kinds of short-term money reasons.
    • Pavlov's moment (18/12/2012, 15:51) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      Swimming is an after school activity or family activity. All this water around us and parents can't teach their children to swim? This is hilarious. There is no need to burden the government with activities that concerned parents can and ought to do.
    • fish (18/12/2012, 18:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Rubbish! My 4 children can swim and no Government didnt teach them to swim. I took the time to take them to the beach every weekend and taught them to swim myself. Every thing is Government this, government that. Stop it.
  • Huh?! (18/12/2012, 14:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    where is the savvy of our elected officials?! Like know what to say and not what to say but at the same time do what is needed to fix the problem.
  • Businessman (18/12/2012, 15:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Check who are his employees at his business establishments and ask him why. Hardworking and dedicated people all. that is why he only preaches, employ locals but he is not. he cannot find that dedication.
    • Biggs (18/12/2012, 16:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

      you just prove the man point a$$wipe. if the mentality changes there would be much more locals in these positions. that's exactly what the man is saying.

      • Biga$$ (18/12/2012, 17:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        It is not about mentality, it is all about upbringing and descipline
    • live (18/12/2012, 19:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wha yuh tink?
  • ready or not (18/12/2012, 15:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    savvy I think not he aint ready..still street boy talk
  • TO Pavlov (18/12/2012, 16:07) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    your comment is what's a kick in the groin.... there are some locals that just won't work in housekeeping or carpentry...majority of the students go and study.... BUSINESS ADMISTRATION...I know because I am also a student not studying the popular Business!

    It's not mental slavery....furthermore plenty of bloody jobs out there....stop being lazy
    • Pavlov moment (18/12/2012, 17:30) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      “VIslanders' minds not conditioned for certain jobs": Where is this conditioning coming from? Who is doing the conditioning? This is not an articulate statement, especially coming from the Education Minister. He is giving credence to a problem which he deems exists. If they have such a mindset, then they surely can feel justified by such remarks.
  • dead man (18/12/2012, 17:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    it took corn dog 13 mths to know this?
  • bright eyes (18/12/2012, 20:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    the man is doing good and yet still some pple cant be pleases smh
  • Really??!! (19/12/2012, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I realize a lot of you don't like to hear the truth. And before anybody start to rant and rave, I born here. I totally agree with Myron, the mindset is the biggest issue for BVIslanders when it comes to unemployment. I've said it many times, very few BVIslanders willing to do the "dirty work", eg. cashier, cleaner, waitress, bartender, maid, construction worker etc. Even when they have no experience/qualifications they want to start a job in top position (MOST money position).


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