‘Unemployment rate in VG shocking!’ – Albert Wheatley
Scores of youths from Virgin Gorda were interviewed at the Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
Mr Albert Wheatley’s idea for the Job Fair was brought to life consequent of his constant browsing of the news and other webs sites and the local newspaper where he saw frequent and lots of advertising of positions for job opportunities on Virgin Gorda. “One of the advantages of the Job fair was that you were not only able to receive an application but you got the opportunity to meet the applicant and they were very happy with that,” he said. Photo: Provided
The job fair was held on Thursday September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre on Virgin Gorda and the turnout of business properties and other were remarkable according to Mr Wheatley but what was more striking was the hundreds of youths between the ages of 16 – 30 years old who came out. Photo: Provided
“I had no idea or was not sure what the turnout among the young people would have been but I must say that I am extremely happy and excited. We had in excess of 60 young people from Virgin Gorda that came out in addition we had about 50 [fifth form] students from the Bregado Flax and [students] from the Primary Division that came out and visited as well,” said Mr Wheatley. Photo: Provided
Scene from the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
Scene from the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
A representative of a place of employment awaiting persons at the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
Another booth at the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
Scene from the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
During the opening ceremony of the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
Scene from the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn making a presentation during the opening of the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
Job seekers asking questions at this employer booth. Photo: Provided
Scene from the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
The turnout was quite large and included schoolchildren. Photo: Provided
Scene from the Virgin Gorda Job Fair held on September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo: Provided
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – When Coordinator of Youth Employment Services (YES) Mr. Albert Wheatley came up with the idea of a Job Fair for youths of Virgin Gorda, neither he or the property owners had any idea that the rate of unemployment on the island was that extensive.
“One of the things I find interesting is a number of the employers said that they were not aware that there were as many young unemployed people on Virgin Gorda and I had no idea myself,” said Mr. Wheatley.
The job fair was held on Thursday September 25, 2014 at the Catholic Community Centre on Virgin Gorda and the turnout of business properties and other were remarkable according to Mr Wheatley but what was more striking was the hundreds of youths between the ages of 16 – 30 years old who came out.
“I had no idea or was not sure what the turnout among the young people would have been but I must say that I am extremely happy and excited. We had in excess of 60 young people from Virgin Gorda that came out in addition we had about 50 [fifth form] students from the Bregado Flax and [students] from the Primary Division that came out and visited as well,” said Mr Wheatley.
This news agency arrived at the venue shortly after 2:00pm by which time all the exhibitors had already left despite the fact that the event was scheduled to come to a close at 4:00pm. However Mr Wheatley and his team were still on spot. He told us that in dialogue with many of the property owners it was confirmed that several persons were chosen for employment opportunities.
“I spoke with a number of them (property owners) after and one of the questions that I asked was did you see anyone that you would hire and they said absolutely, they met some very good people, a lot of the properties actually went out with application forms some of them came with fifty but they were all used,” he said.
He said that he was confident that a number of the participating youths would be getting calls from some of the properties in a matter of days and for some in weeks to come. “I am looking at dedicating one day a week to be on Virgin Gorda to continue this process with the young people here.”
He said the YES programme will continue to prepare and match persons with job opportunities.
Mr Wheatley’s idea for the Job Fair was brought to life consequent of his constant browsing of the news and other webs sites and the local newspaper where he saw frequent and lots of advertising of positions for job opportunities on Virgin Gorda. “One of the advantages of the Job fair was that you were not only able to receive an application but you got the opportunity to meet the applicant and they were very happy with that,” he said.
Mr Wheatley said that the key now is to continue with rigid follow up in the best interest of the youths of Virgin Gorda.
26 Responses to “‘Unemployment rate in VG shocking!’ – Albert Wheatley”
Talk in the grapevine is that his name is floating around to be the 9th district Rep. on VIP when he is an NDP.
Well it amazes me that this government still believe that our economy is growing under them when all they did was just approve millions of dollars to be circulated into their pockets for the cruise ship pier project.
They have accomplish NOTHING else for the people of this country. Just pure rhetoric sweet talk but the people will not be fooled and I will continue to collect my coins and not steal them.
We know our people so mwv and orlando better stop trespassing or we will let the dogs out.
I have to put a sign up at the ports saying "BEWARE OF THE VG DOGS!"
Who get bite get bite.
Albert is a SNAKE IN THE GRASS!
Didn't know because they are all a bunch of sleepers. Working for government getting your check every month you set, you don't care about who is not getting paid. Besides that there is a system which has been allowed to go on in Virgin Gorda for years which does nothing for the development of the island or its people. How can you hire youths when the people who have so called full time jobs barely work for six month? Piiisssssh.
WHAT IS MVW MINISTRY??? IS HE NOW THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND LABOUR?
THIS MAN DOING WHAT KEDRICK SUPPOSE TO BE DOING AND KE..ICK IS JUST INTERESTED IN EXPANDING AN AIRPORT AND NOT GIVING FIXING OUR LABOUR AND NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS.
KE..ICK IS THE WORST MINISTER IN THE HISTORY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND LABOUR OF ALL TIME.