The Human Employment And Resource Training Agency (HEART Trust/NTA) is to begin on-site certification and remedial work on construction sites islandwide.

The agency was given the approval by the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) yesterday following a meeting with Labour and Social Security Minister, Pearnel Charles.

Mr. Charles made the request of the association after it was revealed yesterday that hundreds of prospective job applicants, who turned up at the ministry to fill job vacancies in Canada, were illiterate.

"Yesterday (Tuesday), we advised that we wanted some skilled workers to send abroad, hundreds turned up but they are not certified workers," he said. "We are going to ask the Masterbuilders to help us to get all workers on their site certified."

He said HEART/NTA has given the commitment to start working immediately to certify all workers in the construction industry on site.

Assist in training

"They will come on site, they will interview them ... and they will certify those who are qualified and they will assist in training those who you know are not up to standard," he said.

Michael Archer, president of the IMAJ, welcomed the initiative, and asked that the Government facilitate a work exchange programme with overseas companies to allow for a transfer of skills.