Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Jo Ann Kingsley chats with Adrian Nieocyzm of Kelowna Capital News. - photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Talk about a win-win situation. Canada needs workers, Jamaicans need work. Light bulb!

That's the basis for which a delegation from Okanagan College and employers from western Canada (British Columbia and Alberta) came to Jamaica's shores last week searching for Jamaica's skilled workers and students.

To celebrate the interview process and the opportunities they would open for both sides, Minister of Labour Pearnel Charles hosted a reception at Jamaica House last Friday. It was a festive evening as the consensus from the interviews with the Jamaican workers was that we have more than enough qualified persons for the jobs. Thumbs up to the local lads!

Evening for libations

But the business stuff was saved for the boardroom so this was an evening for libations, music and fellowship. Robert Fine, executive director of Canada's Economic Development Commission, had the mood right as he crooned two of Frank Sinatra's hits for an appreciative and pleasantly stunned audience.

Guests out included Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley and wife Jo Ann, Permanent Secretary in the Labour Ministry Alvin McIntosh, former Labour Minister Derrick Kellier, HEART Trust/NTA executive director Donald Foster, Professor Michael Patterson, Professor Steve Koehle, Patricia Boyd, Peter Couch, Scott Speiser, Stacy-Ann Kerr and Sharry Coombs.

Minister of Labour Pearnel Charles (second right) thanks Jeremy Baker of Canada's Ledcor Construction on the donation of a piece of equipment to the ministry. Looking on are Eleasia Charles (left) and Carol Charles, the minister's daughter-in-law and daughter, respectively