There may be light at the end of the tunnel for some unemployed Barbadians, as a major job recruitment drive will get under way in the island this weekend.
Canadian recruiting firm, Diamond Global, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, will host a job fair on Friday, January 17, and Saturday, January 18, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
The recruitment could result in scores of Barbadians being offered employment in Canada under its Temporary Foreign Workers Programme.
Speaking at a press conference at the Warrens Office Complex today, Vice President of Diamond Global, Benjamin Guth, said his company represented about 100 Canadian employers who were looking to have several positions filled as soon as possible.
???We are hoping to leave in the next three days with signed contracts for a few positions???Canada is open [for business]. We have incredible jobs and great opportunities available; the money is good and the process is seamless,??? he pointed out.
Some 40 Barbadians are presently employed in Alberta, and Director of Operations, Sean Stewart, said the experience for the workers and employers has been quite good so far.
???The reception we have received from workers we have already brought to Canada has been tremendous. It has been an incredible positive experience for our employers and they highlighted to us how excited they are at the prospects of bringing in more Barbadian workers, so we are extremely excited about that.???
The company officials also disclosed that while some jobs at present may be temporary, if all goes well, these could become permanent positions.
The job fair will run from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day, with orientation sessions coming at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Applicants should be between the ages of 21 and 45 years old, have completed their secondary school education and possess a minimum of one year???s experience in their respective areas of employment. They are also required to bring two copies of their r??sum?? to the interviews.
Interviews will be for placement in various positions in the restaurant, hospitality and food service, retail, construction, manufacturing, and transportation sectors in Canada.
Successful applicants will be offered contracts for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of having them renewed for an additional two years.
Diamond Global is a leading recruitment firm in Canada, servicing the needs of more than 100 top employers, and has a 98 per cent success rate. To date, the company has placed more than 4,000 foreign workers in jobs.
andre.skeete@barbados.gov.bb