The Editor, Sir:

I am expressing my concerns about the issuance of CARICOM certificates.

The Labour Ministry is issuing skills certificates to the following categories - university graduates, artists, musicians, athletes, among others. There is a new provision which allows teachers and nurses to obtain the certificates.

However, there are no provisions for individuals with computer skills, or a Maritime Institute graduate. For example, (Microsoft) MCSE and MCP, Novell CNE and CNA, Cisco CCNA, A+, ETA, or EIA. Computer service technicians should be considered as individuals having CARICOM community skills as long as they possess their industry certifications. Many IT jobs in the Caribbean do not require a bachelor's degree. Instead, employers are seeking individuals with industry certifications, along with years of experience.

I went to the Ministry of Labour to query about a certificate, and brought the following degree and industry certifications ... Associate degrees in computer science, Novell netware administrator (CNA), computer service technician (CST), along with an occupational certificate in electronics technology.

To my surprise, I was told that I needed a first degree in order to obtain the skills certificate. If other individuals like myself have to wait until December 2008 when CARICOM 'work permit' requirements have been lifted, then two years of opportunity would have passed us by. How are some Jamaicans benefiting from the issuance of CARICOM skills certificate?

I am, etc.,

CHARLES BROWN

charliebrown1004@hotmail.com

Morant Bay, St. Thomas