Chairperson of the Jobs Expo Advisory Committee and Director for the Office of Centres and Institutes, Alegra Jennings, gives her presentation on Jobs Expo Outcomes. Left is Mrs Yvonne Hodge-Grant, right is Kaisa M. Penn, second from right is Mr. Richard DeCastro and 3rd from right is Mrs. Judith Vanterpool. Photo: VINO

This was disclosed by Chairperson of the Jobs Expo Advisory Committee and Director for the Office of Centres and Institutes, Alegra Jennings, at a press conference at the Centre for Applied Marine Studies today October 13, 2011 where the outcomes, as well as, plans for the initiative, which started in 2010 by the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, were presented.

Some 11 positions were filled in the retail/food services sector with the others being in banking, financial services, telecommunications, tourism and video productions. Some three summer jobs placements were made this year, all in the health service industry and the positions were IT Assistant, Clinic Clerk and Pharmacy Assistant.

Some 21 individuals also attended workshops in preparing to attend Jobs Expo where they were introduced to tips and techniques in Career Evaluation, Development and Goal Setting, Resume Building and Interview Preparation.

The college disclosed that it would continue to host Jobs Expo annually, collaborate with and receive input from private industry, as well as, department heads within local government and implement workforce preparedness workshops, which was a recommendation made by the Jobs Expo Advisory Committee.

Such a workshop will be held on October 19, 2011 and continue on November 16, January 18, February 15, March 21 and April 18. The topics to be covered would include Career Planning/Goal Setting, Cover Letter and Resume Writing, Interview Preparation and Techniques, Business Etiquette and Work Ethics and Work/Life balance.

The workshop is seen as necessary not only for persons to land a job but to also keep it while performing at a high standard.

A number of entities including Road Town Wholesale, Harney's, VIHRA and UNESCO were represented at the press conference this morning.

According to Human Resources Manager for Strategic Succession Planning at the Department of Human Resources, Kaisa M. Penn, Jobs Expo 2010 provided the needed avenue and environment for job seekers to present themselves to employers and to explore employment needs. She added that despite the global financial crisis, the event was a success.

She said in 2011, however, the expo set the stage for greater work to be done in the area of workforce planning and development for the Territory and that participation of employers within the Territory in the event further underscored the existence of the looming international financial crisis.

“Nonetheless the demand for jobs continues to increase as we continue to educate the people of this Territory. I assure you that this demand will certainly increase beyond 2011 as was evident by the many job seekers in attendance this year; some fresh out of university and others seeking to change fields,” Ms. Penn further stated.

Among the other persons that gave presentations were Director for Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Mrs. Judith Vanterpool, Director of the Student Success Centre, Yvonne Hodge- Grant and Senior Lecturer of Workforce Training Division, Richard DeCastro.