KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier says over 13,000 workers will be participating in the Canadian and United States overseas employment programme this year.

Kellier, who was making his contribution to the 2012/2013 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday, reported that the programme continues to grow with the number of skilled workers travelling to Canada trending upwards.

He said 105 trailer drivers, some 50 mechanics and four welders recently secured job offers in Canada. This is in addition to the 17 trailer drivers, who were already in the country. He said two of the largest trucking companies in North America, Finning and Trimac, have submitted requests for skilled drivers and mechanics to fill job openings in Canada.

Kellier attributed the success of the skill-worker programme to a deliberate strategic plan being employed by his ministry to facilitate job creation for qualified Jamaicans in the Canadian and US labour markets.