Dennie Quill, Contributor Images of hundreds of jobseekers flocking to the Ministry of Labour have evoked emotional responses from many persons.
"Where were all these people?" asked one retired gentleman. One presumes these include persons who often fall prey to fake job ads in their quest to put food on their tables, as well as others who have been actively seeking work.
The great puzzle for Labour Minister Pearnel Charles is that so many of these job hunters who turned up at the ministry on Tuesday morning were unable to read and write. This is not particularly surprising to us because this worrying national trend is something we have discussed in this column many times over. And, while the powers that be often talk about their vision for a competitive Jamaica, their actions belie this commitment.
There are many reasons why there is this growing band of illiterate people in our country. We have to blame the quality of education, but there are other factors such as poverty, lack of motivation and poor family structure.
Necessary skills
We hope that the current administration is serious about putting in place the kind of institutional framework that will help Jamaicans acquire the knowledge and skills they need to become productive members of society. Two things are critical: an expansion of training options and a reorganisation of working practices to ensure that the necessary skills are gained for entry-level jobs.
Jobs that require no literacy have all disappeared. Today, even low-skilled jobs require the ability to read since many involve assembling items and reading labels.
Decades ago, institutions such Cobbla, Chestervale and Knockalva focused on vocational training and participants were placed on a structured path to acquire a skill. Did we abandon this training and if so, what have we put in its place?
Whatever happened to the apprenticeship system that had been in place long ago? Could the government not revive a type of apprenticeship system that rewards businesses that participate with tax breaks?
Many persons grew out of this apprenticeship to become tailors, carpenters, mechanics, etc. They provided for their families, sent their children to school and enjoyed a relatively good life.
I can understand Minister Charles' anxiety to find workers for these Canadian jobs. The country has to find a quick response to explicit employers' needs, so it appears that training time will be condensed.
Ensure competency
However, one hopes we do not compromise quality and ensure that every person who is certified is job-ready because we run the risk of sullying our reputation as competent workers with our overseas partners in the United States and Canada.
The other reason Charles will be happy to ship these workers off is that the Prime Minister's promise of 'jobs, jobs, jobs' is reverberating in the ears of every out-of-work Jamaican.
In reality, budget pressures will make it difficult for the Government to provide the kind of investment incentives needed to fuel growth of the economy, so creative means have to be found to put idle hands to work.
If it means sending them off to Canada and the United States, then so be it. I wish them luck. Personally, I have very little faith in the competence of some of our skilled workmen.
I recall once asking a 'mason' to erect a fence for me. After he had certified the job finished, I noticed that the blocks were leaning precariously to the left. Less than a week later, the entire thing came tumbling down.
Why? He forgot to put the steel in the blocks. I learnt all too late that he was not really a mason, but used to work on a construction site helping to mix mortar.
Early reports indicate that the first batch of Jamaicans to work in the construction industry have acquitted themselves well. We hope they will all be good ambassadors for Jamaica.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@ hotmail.com.
