JEF to Promote Jamaica Employ Among Members

First Vice President of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF), Bernita Locke, says her organisation will be promoting the ‘Jamaica Employ’ initiative among its members.

The initiative, recently launched by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller in collaboration with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), aims to provide 40,000 new jobs in the economy, over time.

Mrs. Locke said the JEF will be encouraging its members to assist “by employing one additional qualified Jamaican to make this very important programme a success”.

She was addressing a function held yesterday (Sept. 20) at the Manpower Centre in Kingston, to recognise over 100 persons, who were trained to deliver service during the recent Jamaica 50 celebrations and the cricket test match at Sabina Park.

The training was conducted by Manpower and Maintenance Services Limited (MMS) in collaboration with Independence Park Ltd. (IPL) over a period of three weeks.  The participants, many of whom come from inner city communities, were trained in the areas of supervisory management, and cleaning and sanitation techniques. They were recognised for their service and received certificates of participation.

The JEF Executive, who is Director of Human Resources at the Jamaica Information Service, urged the participants to “continue your development path, one step at a time while searching for a job. Stay connected with the Ministry of Labour and get involved in community projects”.

She cited volunteerism as one way of getting a foothold in an organisation. “We have a number of persons, who enquire about voluntary work as that is a strategy they employ to show off their talent and expand their network, knowing full well that once you make the first impression, it could materialise into a long and lasting relationship,” she said.

She lauded Manpower and Maintenance Ltd. for its work over the years, noting that it has garnered the respect from its customers and has helped to place many workers in jobs both locally and overseas.  Several of the participants have  been employed by MMS, since the programme ended.