Minister of Labour Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo speaking at the NEB Job Expo’ 2011.
Unemployed persons in Barbados will soon have more job opportunities available on the high seas.
This was disclosed today by Minister of Labour Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, while speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Employment Bureau’s (NEB) Job Expo’ 2011, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
While encouraging young people "with a spirit of adventure and [who] want to work outside the ???safe’ zone of Barbados", to consider this employment option, she said that talks between her Ministry and two cruise lines were "moving smoothly ahead".
"Barbados expects to enter into formal agreements with Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines shortly for the hire of Barbadian workers.?? Jobs on board cruise ships encompass a wide range of areas such as hospitality workers, plumbers, welders, electricians, carpenters and aestheticians," the Minister added.
Dr. Byer Suckoo also lauded the NEB for organising the job fair, which she called an "important event in the Ministry of Labour’s annual calendar" and an area in which Government is committed.
"One of the Ministry’s main objectives is to support and encourage the creation of employment of acceptable quality.?? The Job Expo’ therefore, is a mechanism which adds value to this objective…Today’s Expo provides a forum for minimising obstacles to the best possible organisation of the employment market through the provision of the opportunity for employers and job seekers who may be desirous of contacting and engaging each other at a single showcase," she stated.
The Minister also had this advice for job-seeking youth present at the opening ceremony: "Be punctual and courteous at all times; hone your communication skills…good verbal and written skills are essential ingredients for any job; have a different point of view without being disagreeable; be respectful of authority; cherish your relationships at work; and be a part of the office team".
The NEB Job Fair was held under the theme "Challenging Employment Environment; Alternative Employment Choices". In addition to exhibits from a number of organisations, activities included presentations by motivational speakers and human resource experts.????