MORE
DETAILS ON CRUISE SHIP EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME
The Government of Saint Lucia has provided more
details on the Cruise Ship Employment Programme. Since the announcement of this programme in
the 2014/2015 Budget Statement, many unemployed youth from across the island
have expressed a desire to take advantage of this opportunity.
On Tuesday, June 2, 2014, officials from the Office
of the Prime Minister and the Saint Lucia Development Bank were guests on
INSIDE GOVERNMENT on RSL 97, where the details of this new initiative were
discussed. Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Alison
Plummer, says the success of the pilot phase was the driving force behind the
expansion of this programme. According
to Dr. Plummer,
"Last year, 220 persons benefited from
training, assistance and employment as a result of collaboration between NICE,
Springboard Training and Development and the St Lucia Development Bank. Springboard Training and Development Centre
has entered into an agreement to train and recruit employees from Saint Lucia
to fill non-utility positions on Carnival Cruise Lines. Having recognized the inability of many of
the potential employees to meet the costs associated with taking up these jobs,
Springboard approached the Government and this relationship was developed. Carnival Cruises recognizes the accreditation
of this training institute and has expressed satisfaction with employees
recruited in the pilot phase last year. As such, Government will make $3
million dollars available for on-lending by the St Lucia Development Bank, so
more people can benefit.”
The Permanent Secretary explained that the
programme targets unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 35 and no employment
experience or prior training is necessary.
However, those wishing to gain employment must pass the certification
training course offered by Springboard.
After the training and certification, students will be required to
undertake a medical screening where they would undergo drug testing and other
basic assessment. Upon certification, students would then access the financial
assistance to acquire their visas
and to meet the cost of travel to Miami to begin their jobs on cruise ships.
The Business Development and Marketing Manager of
the Saint Lucia Development Bank, Mr. Philbert Francis, says he is pleased that
the Government of Saint Lucia will expand the program. He indicated that the loan amount which is usually
in the vicinity of $5,000.00 covers the training, medical, visa and one way
travel costs and is granted to successful candidates who have been referred by
the training institute. In order to
minimize delinquency, loans are to be repaid via salary deductions, within the
first six months of employment.
The public is urged to contact the Springboard
Training and Development Institute at 450-0198 or the Saint Lucia Development
Bank at 456-7352 for more information.
Recruitment for training begins on June 9, 2014.
Click here for the Government Of Saint Lucia's Website
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