Just over a month ago, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett disclosed that 10,000 Jamaicans would
be recruited to work on ships overseas.

Bartlett, who was speaking to reporters following a function at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on May 27, said the immense recruitment process comes at a time when the cruise sector, and tourism by extension, are showing signs of rebound.

For years, Jamaicans have worked on cruise lines and have made a mark within the industry.

Bartlett said the recruiting drive is a testimony that Jamaican workers are viewed positively on the global stage.

“This is a very big deal and a sign that cruise shipping is back,” the minister argued.

Scores of Jamaicans turned out for the recruitment drive at various locations islandwide to grasp what some describe as a grand opportunity. Many youngsters anxiously waited to receive an email or call to be interviewed.

Some time later that process finally got under way with yesterday (July 14) being the final day of interviews.

Jamaicans seeking employment turned out in droves for the interview sessions which were conducted by the operators of the cruise lines.

A successful candidate told Our Today that the massive crowd and the waiting period made her
very anxious yesterday as she waited to have her interview done.

“A lot of people was present for the interview. I saw so many people from all over,” shared the young woman who did not wish to be identified.

She also noted that she was happy that the process was being conducted by the operators of the
cruise lines.

“Mi glad a the cruise people them do it because it helps prevent bias,” she added.

Unfortunately, not all applicants were successful in their bid and did not make it past the interview stage of the recruitment process. There were also those who applied but did not turn up for the interview for various reasons.

The most common reason for that decision was the fact that successful applicants must be or become fully vaccinated in order to work with the cruise ship industry.

“Mi did really want get the opportunity eno, but mi nuh sure about the vaccine yah,” was the sentiment shared by one applicant who got called but decided not to do the interview.

Bartlett said that, in recent discussions with cruise officials, Jamaica continues to be the first-choice country as it relates to hiring workers, adding that “our work ethic and iconic stature are well known and will always give us that preferential edge anywhere in this region”.

Most of the major cruise lines have recently been on a global recruitment drive for workers, with Jamaica, based on numbers, being ranked one of the highest locations on their list.