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JAM | Nov 29, 2024

Government ensuring inclusiveness in overseas employment programme

/ Our Today

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Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr, (second right), addresses potential candidates for placement in the Overseas Employment (farmwork) Programme in Canada and the United States (US), during a recruitment exercise at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Looking on is Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dione Jennings. (Photo: Adrian Walker)

Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr, has underscored the importance of the government’s ‘No One Left Behind Policy’ as he encouraged potential candidates for placement in the Overseas Employment (farmwork) Programme in Canada and the United States (US).

The Policy ensures that workers are well prepared to meet the demands of their overseas employment and excel in their roles.

“[It’s the] first time ever that we have done this in Jamaica, where you are given the opportunity to do your interviews and… if you need help in some way, whether it is in reading or understanding, whatever it is, we have a policy now where no one should be left behind,” Charles said.

“So, if you don’t get through to [go on the] farmwork [programme] this time, my goal is to make sure that we can identify what the issue is and help you to prepare for the next time instead of just sending you back home, and that’s it. We are going to make sure that if you take up the opportunity, that you get the tools to ready yourself for the next opportunity,” he further stated

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), peruses the list of potential candidates for placement in the Overseas Employment (farmwork) Programme in Canada and the United States (US) during a recruitment exercise at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Looking on are (from left) Social Workers in the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Unit, Rajeve Scarlett and Petrolia Brown, and Unit Director, Karen Courtney Gardner. (Photo: Adrian Walker)

Charles added, however, that if persons, for any reason, are not selected, there is the opportunity for them to, among other things, secure a micro business grant “and start something when you go back home”.

The minister was speaking during a farmwork recruitment exercise on Thursday, November 28 at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

As part of the No One Left Behind Policy, the Ministry has revised its orientation and selection process to include psychometric testing and revised literacy and numeracy tests.

Charles, who noted that the persons attending Thursday’s engagement were the first beneficiaries of the policy, urged them to “make good use of it”.

He also encouraged potential candidates to take a good attitude during the interviews.

“Remember the persons interviewing you do not know you… first impressions last. How you walk in, how your face looks and how your body language is, makes a difference to whether you are selected or not. You will be asked a number of questions; I am going to implore you to answer the questions confidently,” Charles said.

Officers of the ministry’s Jamaican Liaison Service, supported by representatives from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), are conducting interviews with candidates for Overseas Employment (farmwork) Programme placements in Canada and the US.

Thursday’s exercise marked the fourth day of the three-week process through which 350 farmers are expected to be interviewed daily.

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