The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business

Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister yesterday said he wants accurate unemployment data, and details on new hirings, to be obtained much faster, following recent government-sponsored job fairs.

Keith Bell, minister for labour and immigration, speaking ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting, acknowledged that the desired unemployment data “isn’t as forthcoming” as he would wish. “I’ve tasked the Department of Labour to provide me with accurate statistics in respect to the employment numbers,” he added.

“You would have seen that we would have had a number of employment initiatives with the private sector and the Government. I have asked the Department of Labour to specifically tell me the specific numbers of hires. Unfortunately, it isn’t as forthcoming as I would have wanted, but you will get it as soon as I get it.”

The Department of Labour’s most recent job fair occurred last Saturday when the Bahamian IHOP franchise started the process of recruiting up to 200 persons for its first outlet at Mall at Marathon. Several ‘Labour on the Blocks’ events have also been held in recent months in both New Providence and Grand Bahama.

The Department of Labour plans to roll-out a ‘Labour in the Schools’ initiative this coming Friday where officials will visit all New Providence schools to prepare upcoming graduates for entry to the workforce upon leaving high school. “What we are seeking now to ensure is that our high school students, those in grades 10, 11 and 12, that we begin to prepare them for the workplace,” Mr Bell said.

“It’s important that they acquire the skills. It is important that they know what is available, and that they begin to create the mindset to ensure that they get those jobs and we offer them training through not just the Department of Labour but also all the agencies of government and the private sector, the National Training Agency and all of the agencies of government. We are going to go into every school.”