ALTHOUGH employers now have various media through which they can post job vacancies, many Jamaicans are unable to access the information often advertised in new media.

According to Minister of Labour and Social Security, Dr Fenton Ferguson, only about 40 per cent of the country’s population has Internet coverage. This limits poor people’s access to employment opportunities posted in new media.

But this is about to change, in light of the initiative launched by the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) and the Labour Ministry last Wednesday, which allows library users to access the Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

LMIS is a free online employment database for jobseekers and employers which provides a wide range of information on the labour market. It also provides pointers on résumé writing and job interview techniques, and gives details about jobs that are in high demand.

Speaking at the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library last week, Ferguson said: “My ministry recognises that greater access to the Internet could lead to greater access to employment opportunities. Thus, we applaud and thank the JLS for this opening which will see students, jobseekers and other users of the libraries accessing the web-based Labour Market Information System.”

Chairman of the Jamaica Library Board, Paul Lalor, believes the effort is important as it reflects a “milestone in the careers and futures of many Jamaicans going forward.” He also stated his hope that more government ministries involved in technology-based initiatives will use the JLS as the focal point for Jamaicans to gain access.

In a charge to the guest performers from Holy Trinity High School, Education Minister Ronald Thwaites encouraged students to value education and to make good use of the libraries’ services especially since it is now a requirement that skilled people be certified in their areas.

Permanent secretary in the labour ministry, Colette Roberts Risden, expressed thanks to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for agreeing to include the project in a loan previously negotiated solely for social security support. She said the labour market project was ideal to assist beneficiaries of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) become familiar with the job market especially since new careers have emerged over the last 20 years.

“This MOU today I think is a great opportunity to spread the word about having access via the Internet to jobs for those who need it. We know about the poor in Jamaica. These are ones who are least likely to have jobs, and the ones who are working in the informal sector,” said IDB Country Representative Therese Turner Jones, who recommended that Jamaica focuses on getting them into the formal sector.

To date, the LMIS has more than 11,000 jobseekers and approximately 520 employees registered. Among these numbers are PATH beneficiaries.

In its second phase, according to Ferguson, the LMIS “will house critical information for employers, decision-makers, academic users, educators and trainers, career and guidance counselors.” Overseas employment, major investment projects, career mapping and labour laws will also be part of the database, he said.

— Falon Folkes