38 Jamaicans to Take Up Jobs in Canada

A total of 38 Jamaicans are being prepared to take up jobs with Canadian-based fast-food chain, Tim Horton’s Corporation, as soon as formal arrangements are in place.

Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday, June 4, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier said the Ministry is about to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the fast-food chain to supply experienced workers to that establishment.

The persons being readied were drawn from a pool of workers recruited by the company.

“During the period April 10 to 13 this year, a number of Tim Horton’s officials, along with several franchise holders, held a job fair in Jamaica. They conducted interviews in three locations across the island and established a pool of workers, who are to be prepared for dispatch upon demand,” the Minister informed.

He further noted that recruitment was also conducted by McDonalds during the last week of May.

In the meantime, the Minister informed that the Ministry recently conducted a recruitment exercise to pre-select 2,000 persons for the Canadian Farm Work Programme in anticipation of an expected 10 per cent increase in activities.

“Some of these persons are already being processed for departure. A few weeks ago, the Ministry was asked to supply skilled tyre technicians for several companies in Canada. In particular, representatives from WESTCAN, a leading bulk transportation company in Canada, came to Jamaica in May to conduct training and provide certification to these technicians to prepare them for entry into Canada,” he said.

Contact: Alecia Smith-Edwards