CERTIFIED and experienced pipe fitters, crane operators and iron workers will be recruited today by the labour ministry for its overseas jobs programme.

The ministry, in a statement yesterday, stressed that the recruitment at its office at 110-114 East Street in downtown Kingston will only be for certified tradesmen in the required fields.

Pearnel Charles, the minister of labour and social security, said that while some 500 construction workers turned out for the pre-selection exercise on Sunday, approximately 50 per cent were mainly carpenters and masons. While expressing satisfaction at the level of turnout, Minister Charles said that about 50 per cent of those interviewed were not certified.

He said that while the overseas employment programme was currently targeting specific groups within the construction industry, the ministry will be maintaining a skills database as it expects to recruit 100 persons by the end of 2008 to work in Canada, particularly in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

Charles said that the ministry would continue to collaborate with the HEART/NTA to facilitate the certification of those persons who have the relevant skills and experience.

The ministry, he added, will host a job fair on October 19 and 20, where several companies from British Columbia will recruit from those persons who were identified during the pre-selection on Sunday.

Interested persons must be between 21 and 40 years old, have no criminal record, have at least six years experience with certification, and the be holder of a valid passport.