National job fair urgently needed- Hon Andrew A. Fahie
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!”
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