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Labour Ministry and JLS Sign MOU for Use of LMIS

By: , February 5, 2016

The Key Point:

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the use of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) in the library network, to foster career development and job placement.
Labour Ministry and JLS Sign MOU for Use of LMIS
Photo: Donald Delahaye
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (seated, second right) and Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (seated, second left) sign a Memorandum of Understanding that is designed to provide career guidance and improve access to labour market information system among young people at parish and community levels. The signing was undertaken at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library on Tom Redcam Drive on February 3. Others (seated, from left) are: Director General, Jamaica Library Service (JLS), Karen Barton and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Colette Roberts Risden. Overseeing the signing (standing, from left) are: Public Relations and Marketing Officer, JLS, Kimberly Whilby McLaughlin and Record Clerk, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Vennecia Francis.

The Facts

  • He said apart from the practicality of the programme, it presents an opportunity to put technology at work in tackling unemployment in Jamaica.
  • The LMIS, which is a one-stop data and information source, is designed to satisfy the needs of job seekers and employers, through its newly improved website, www.lmis.gov.jm, or www.mlss.gov.jm.

The Full Story

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the use of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) in the library network, to foster career development and job placement.

Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the $3.5 million project is designed to provide career guidance and improve access to labour market information system among young people at the parish and community levels.

Speaking at the official signing ceremony on February 3, at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library on Tom Redcam Drive, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the partnership is a sound, practical and prudent way to deliver necessary services and programmes to the people of Jamaica.

“Through the LMIS database, employers and investors will know where to locate certified and uncertified skills. Policy makers will know where there is an under-supply or over-supply of skills, and take corrective actions. The process therefore will advance productivity improvement and country competitiveness in the global marketplace,” he argued.

He said apart from the practicality of the programme, it presents an opportunity to put technology at work in tackling unemployment in Jamaica.

Dr. Ferguson informed that employees of the libraries will be trained to give guidance on where to locate information on website and how to register and search for jobs on the LMIS website, while the Ministry will benefit from the additional channels for recruitment and registration of jobseekers.

“In this current tight fiscal space, we must strive to perform at an optimal level; we must operate in a cost effective manner,” he said.

The Minister added that the Ministry will continue upgrading the LMIS to remain relevant and reliable to meet the demands of stakeholders. “Our plans include a second-phase roll-out which will see the LMIS housing critical information for employers, decision-makers, academic users, educators and trainers, career and guidance counsellors,” he noted.

Dr. Ferguson said this phase will focus on upgraded information, such as pertinent labour laws, career mapping, major investment projects, opportunities in new businesses, emerging occupations and overseas employment.

“We believe that being adequately informed allows for effective decision making and choice, and we want to be at the heart of this process through LMIS,” he said.

Director General, JLS, Karen Barton, said through this partnership, the JLS will be able to strengthen the provision of Labour Market Information to jobseekers, students, employers, ordinary citizens across a network of 118 fixed library locations and 374 communities served by mobile library service.

The LMIS, which is a one-stop data and information source, is designed to satisfy the needs of job seekers and employers, through its newly improved website, www.lmis.gov.jm, or www.mlss.gov.jm.

Since its inception in 2001, the system, which is maintained by the Ministry, has been providing cost effective ways for employers to source and recruit suitable employees, as well  as for job seekers to post resumes for possible employment.

Last Updated: February 5, 2016

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