Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
SIX OUT of every 10 applicants for the Canadian farm work programme could not read and write, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
John Wright, chief liaison officer of the Canadian programme, told The Gleaner that poor literacy was identified as a major challenge in the selection process that was closed last week.
Basic literacy was added as new criteria for the programme as workers are now required to use advanced technology in agriculture. Mr. Wright said that the literacy findings for the men were quite disturbing.
MEN A BIGGER PROBLEM
"It was quite disturbing," he said. "The females seem to be all literate but with the men we had about 60 per cent of them that were interviewed unable to read simple things like cucumber, cabbage and tomatoes."
This made the recruitment process more difficult, according to Alvin McIntosh, permanent secretary in the ministry. As a result of this challenge, he said the ministry was forced to interview some 3,000 candidates to fill the vacancies.
Nevertheless, the ministry was able to tentatively select 2,400 persons. Of this number, 150 women were selected.
However, Mr. McIntosh warned prospective applicants: "We are working hard to find opportunities for them up in Canada," Mr. McIntosh said, but warned that applicants, "must be positioned to take advantage of these opportunities."
MEDICAL, POLICE CHECKS
Mr. McIntosh argued that the men had failed to educate themselves. "Don't let anybody tell you that they are not able to read and write because they did not get an opportunity," he said. "They must seek the opportunities and educate themselves so they will be in a position to take advantage of these job opportunities."
Successful applicants will also have to undergo a medical and police checks before they are confirmed for the programme. Mr. Wright said the workers are scheduled to leave for Canada later this year.
He said successful applicants would be mostly doing hydroponics farming in the Leaming-ton and Chatham areas of Canada. This type of farming involves growing crops in an artificial environment without using soil.
