THE Ministry of Labour and Social Security is continuing its efforts to secure more employment opportunities in North America for Jamaican workers in non-traditional areas such as trucking and heavy-duty mechanics.

In keeping with this thrust, Labour and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier hosted a reception last week for eight employers from Canada. The employers — who are from the provinces of Newfoundland/Labrador, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario — are currently in the island to recruit trailer drivers and mechanics for jobs in Canada.

So far, 30 persons have been selected and are expected to depart for Canada by the end of March. An additional 300 workers will be recruited by the ministry during the year to meet the increasing demand.

The Ministry and its liaison services in Canada will be partnering with Marmicmon Inc (operating out of Canada) and the Brown’s Town Community College in St Ann to facilitate the training and recruitment process.

Speaking at the reception, Minister Kellier pointed out that employment generation and job creation are critical prongs in the new administration’s push towards economic growth and development.

He said the ministry was committed to expanding the scope of employment for Jamaicans at home and abroad. He pointed out that, fortunately, Jamaica was not short of skilled workers in the trucking and mechanic industries, and training will be intensified to meet the growing demand for these categories of workers.

Plans are afoot to establish a training school for trailer and truck drivers at the Brown’s Town Community College, and this initiative is expected to be supported by employers in Canada, who will supply the requisite equipment to facilitate training and certification.

The Canadian employers have expressed satisfaction with the skills displayed by the selected workers and are excited about the prospects of the additional drivers they hope to recruit from Jamaica. The group left the island yesterday.

Minister Kellier is expected to visit several provinces in Canada later this year to hold discussions with training institutions and provincial authorities to facilitate the establishment of a framework for expansion of the programme.

Jamaica has maintained close links with Canada over the years, and thousands of Jamaicans benefit from the agricultural workers programme, as well as employment in construction and health care and the hospitality trade.

— JIS