CI has employability problem
(CNS): The Cayman Islands has a problem with employability and not unemployment, according to the labour minister. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday afternoon, Rolston Anglin said that too many people lacked the necessary skills to get work and until government addressed that issue the country would never be able to tackle the problem of unemployment. He said that while there certainly were too many people who were employable currently out of work because of the economic circumstances, far more were simply unemployable. Promising more targeted programmes, he said his ministry was aiming to up the skill levels of the country’s work force.
“Cayman has an employability issue not an unemployment issue,” Anglin said. We have to be bluntly honest … and unless we address that we will never address unemployment.”
He said there was a need for what he called high impact training programmes that would deliver the skills to people that they needed to get jobs, and the ministry was investing some $200,000 to deliver the technology training at UCCI.
The minster warned that the programmes had to work, and while he was rolling out pilot projects, he wanted to make sure the courses would result in people getting the skills that the job market wanted.
Lauding the recent Passport2Success programme, which is currently focused on getting young people into the job market by giving them the necessary skills and tools to not only find a job but keep it, Anglin said there would be additional work placement schemes being rolled out over the coming months. The minster also spoke about the need to separate the labour and pension issues from human capital development, which would focus on this concept of making people employable.
“For too long we have been setting our people up for failure,” he told his legislative colleagues during the Strategic Policy Statement debate as he announced that his ministry was developing legislation to deal with the issue.
In the government’s SPS document unemployment figures are predicted to begin falling this year from the 2009 high of 6% to 5.8%, and with modest growth in the GDP it is expected to fall below 5% in 2011. For the period of this financial year 2010/11 the average rate is estimated to be around 5.4%.
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Caymanians talk about the old days when Caymanian workers were reknowned for their good work in the Merchant fleets and that they rose through the ranks.
This is great, but back in those days did a young Caymanian boy first stepping on to his first ship expect to start as the Capt or Chief Engineer?
Young Caymanians try asking your elders what the Capt of the ship would have said if they turned up on the boat and demanded to be a Chief Seaman straightaway. They would have been laughed off the ship.
A good education does not guarantee you a job in the real world, it guarantees you the opportunity of working hard to eventually maybe getting a good job in the end
While there is merit to what I believe Mr. Anglin’s fundamental point to be – that our standards of education and training must improve if we are to have best opportunities for employment – the way he has expressed it (that there is no unemployment problem only employability problems) will only encourage and embolden those employers who already engage in discriminatory practises against Caymanians. After all the Minister of Education has said that Caymanians are unemployable. I hope I am wrong but I get the feeling that Mr. Anglin is seeking to curry favour with certain quarters in the private sector. This may therefore have done more harm than good to the cause of Caymanians seeking employment. No doubt I will get thumbs down from many of the expats on here but Caymanians will know that what I am saying is true.
Employers are not just looking for educational standards in a person. You can have all the qualifications in the world but if you fail to show integrity, don’t have good work ethics, no commonsense or a sense of duty to the employer, then it’s a waste of time giving you a job.
Mr Rolston Anglin,
Your insulting statements are unacceptable and simply not true. Your government like many others have FAILED TO REGULATE these companies setting up businesses in the Cayman Islands. You have intercepted and tied the hands of theWork Permit Board, the Immigration Board, The Labor Board and all regulatory systems put in place to regulate these businesses to comply with laws already put on the books. Whereas as one commentator wrote you have removed the hiring policies that would protect the rights of Caymanians to acquire work even though educated with more than one college degree, and very much qualified for the jobs they have applied for they are always REFUSED! This has nothing to do with education, but everything to do with people like you Mr. Rolston Anglin that. have sold our people to the highest bidder all i the name of greed. reflected in the high work permit fees scams for which the livelihood of our good people are exchanged!
What do you have to say about that Mr. Anglin?
The premier nor the cabinet has any right to make appointments or direct the Work Permit Board. It is a direct conflict of interest that does not favor the Caymanian people. The Work Permit Board belongs under the Governor’s office and should be managed strictly in the Civil Service under the Lieutenant Governor’s port folio. As it is right now there is a huge conflict of interest with the Premier and the cabinet having so much power over the work permit board . This was not intended even in the constitutional first draft recently amended in its original form. Again there were way too many hands involved in the input of the original draft of the constitution and it is almost not recognizable! Indeed the premier nor the cabinet were not granted this much power in the original and first draft for amendment. I blame the PPM as well for allowing so much chipping away of the rights of those that need protection in the constitution, at the same time obviously the PPM were hoping to enjoy as much power now granted to the UDP!.We really need to deal with the both of you parties alike..
As it is right now the right of a Caymanian to work in his or her own native land of the Cayman Islands is being VIOLATED!
Absolutely Unconstitutional!
You’ll find those attributes possessed by many Caymanians who have been overlooked ‘just because they are Caymanians’ and any thumbs down means you’re an expat or paper Caymanian whose conscience doesn’t work..
Sticks and stones may break my bones but your names will never hurt me.
What does an employer expect?
-Turn upto work every day on time
– Sick Leave is not another additional 10 days vacation
– Leave your personal problems at the door
– Personal Cell Phones are for emergency use only in work hours
– If you want a loan, go to the Bank
Even if you demonstrate all of the above, have the qualifications, have integrity, solid work ethics, proven performance etc. many employers and those operating here locally but acting globally, send you packing and try to justify it by simply stating that they have decided not to renew your contract.
Excuse me Nursing not a wha? It requires care, love.PASSION, and many long hours of overworked,underappreciated and underpaid just to name a few. Go ask My Guardian Angels at GT hospital. Better yet go spend some painful time there and see who really care and that includes the nursing aides. You have to really really be a special person to study in NURSING. Take it from me. From Front desk, ER,medical and surgical wards. Operating room,Pharmacy, just ask your doctor next time you go there, even for a headache. Michel Lemay
In response to14:49 regarding12:36 that obsiouly was not popular.Let’s recap. If on your WP form you were asked to donate a couple of hours perWEEK your response would be:Are you serious?I’m I a dictator?Do I believe in slavery?Do you know how persons like myself whom have given countless hours after hours per week with passion so our work permit co-workers could get more knowledge and make more $$.Ask those whom have been here for say only 5 years. As far as education after 25+years in tourism (2 jobs) having raised 5 children/8grand kids born here I am ashamed to say that I have 1 thing in common with you.I came here as an expat.You have given me the answer I expected!$$$ only.Michel Lemay
The current MO of our politicians of giving contracts and job opportunities to the uneducated and undeserving is serving to undermine the very fabric of our strength and is effectively destroying our Caymanian society. You only have to look at the many hard working well educated members of the civil service who have been overlooked recognition or promotion to see job opportunities or contracts go to the undeserving for confirmation of this.
The politicians do not want their ideas or questionable policies challenged in any way and are therefore only interested in promoting and surrounding themselves with those who are most malleable. This environment of discouraging those educated and hardworking individuals who one could trust to challenge ill-conceived policies and to act in the best interest of the country and according to their principles sends a clear message that hard work and principles are not to be appreciated or rewarded. Instead, only those who know how to ‘play politics’ and are willing to bend to accommodate every whim of the politicians are rewarded. Why study and work hard? Afterall, ‘my Mama know the Premier good ya’ know. So long as I get wha I wan I don care bout unna’. What about the county? Don’t you care that your actions will have a long term detrimental effect on the country? ‘Country..country…I din mess it up. It was already messed up. I only looking out fa numba one and dats dat’.
The law of unintended consequence in play perhaps? The ‘Cayman Protection Board’ sent the message far and wide that Caymanians were to be protected and could expect to be paid regardless of their abilities, education or work ethic. This is unfortunate as historically Caymanians were know worldwide as good and honest workers. The history of our seamen serves to confirm this.
The lesson? Send the message to our fellow Caymanian that we have to compete at a global level much like our seamen forefathers did. That is the real strength of a small nation with no natural resources.
10:51
Go to hell! We were doing quite fine before the Caymanian XXXX board came into play. It is since its creation that Caymanians are falsely accused of being unemployable all in the name of A WORK PERMIT SALES AND OFF SHORE PIRACY AND EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES TO OSTRACIZE THE CAYMANIAN PEOPLE FROM MAKING AN HONEST LIVING!
Ouch, sounds like 10:51 hit a nerve! The fact is, 10:51 is spot on and you know it.
Given that our Premier proudly boasts that he didn’t finish high school and is still able to suck several hundred thousand dollars out of the public purse, it would appear that the technically ‘unemployable’ have the best opportunities in politics.
One would have thought than a Masters Degree from ICCI (although honorary) would compensate for the lack of opportunities in life he had, which he no doubt has made up for along the way.
I have a question to BOTH the UDP & the PPM faithful that vote up or down based on party loyalities.
Why have neither party while in power set up a trade school program to teach Caymanians trades?
This trade school issue has existed in the country for 20 years and nothing has been done by either party.
Who are you going to blame for this?
I can hear the party faithful choking on their own self-righteousness.
Just a thought. Go to some of the top 5 Banks and see who are employed there now. Years ago, they were staffed with caymanians, now helpers are employed in the positions that the caymanians once filled. All of them are replaced with new caymanians. It is a shame to see what is happening, but we have ourselves to blame. Visit government departments or the HSA and then you will see and understandhow one nationality looks out for its own. We can learn from them, that when there is a vacancy to be filled, look to help your own by letting them know that there is a job opening. Sometimes, we tend to put more emphasis on helping others and not or very own.
It’s about time you all (Gov’t) wake up!!!!
22:55
This is the only government we have ever had that was the worst government.
A government that is always asleep and SLUMBERS.
THEY ARE NOT AWAKE TO ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP THE CAYMANIAN PEOPLE.
I am surprised at Mr. Norman Bodden and Dr. Edlin Merren who told us to vote for this bunch of goons have not come forward in sympathy towards the people as yet!
To date not one of these endorsers have come forward or publicly renounced what the premier and his cabinet are doing to us! it is a shame.
If you have guts to tell us to vote for them, then use the same guts to put Big Mac in his place. And apooigize to us the people for leading us ALL ASTRAY!
The TVET program was started under the leadership of ROY BODDEN and WALLING WHITTAKER. I vividly recall taking my son to the Family Life Centre where a ‘fair’ was put on by the DER. The government and the department brought in a Professor from Jamaica, a Dr. Semaj IF my memory serves me correct. The even had a biometric test (might be the wrong name) set up for students. So to imply that UDP stopped this is a load of bull-crockery. The UDP started it. The PPM stopped it and NONE of the Directors of DER after Walling had the intestinal fortitude and backbone to see it followed through. I go further and say that not even UCCI had the foresight to pick this up and run with it.
As a small business owner, I WANT to hire Caymanians- however, Caymanians MUST realise that being a Caymanian does NOT automatically confer employment on them. With no knowledge and skills and the lack of ambition to get these will forever mean that many Caymanians will be without work
So it has taken the UDP Govt. how long to figure this out?
Unfortunately, this is only to appease the special groups that the Govt. are tied to that keeps them covered from all angles.
Caymanians are unemployable? Certainly, we have some that are, but don’t tell me that everyone that’s unemployed right now are unemployable. Minister Anglin is basically looking brownie points with the Private Sector, and so he has to downgrade his Caymanians. Minister ROlston you do realize that some of these people you speak of are the same ones that your UDP Govt. gave Status to whom imported their unemployable family members from their own countries?
So you sum it up to sound as if we Caymanians are the ones out here that cannot find work. Well let me enlighten you to a few facts:
There were policies in place once (before your Govt. removed them from the laws), that required a company to train a Caymanian, or to have a Caymanian shadow a certain job and when fully trained they would replace the work permit holder with that Caymanian. Along comes the mighty UDP Govt. and strikes that from the Laws, why, it was too prejudicial and biase against the foreigners in this country. So the foreigners didn’t have to have a Caymanian shadow them anylonger. (But it wasn’t biase or prejudicial against a Caymanian!!)
Then there were policies in place that prevented ‘job hopping’ from occurring you know when a person is hired on a work permit for a specific job the individual were not permitted to leave that profession and switch to another because it would infringe on the rights of a Caymanian from getting that job. Again, the mighty UDP Govt. strucked this from the Law to facilitate the foreign worker.
Then there were policies where if you didn’t receive a release letter from your former employer, you were not permitted to obtain a further work permit in the country, because it was obvious that you were not that good of an employee or you were not able to get a reference from your former employer etc. Again, the mighty UDP Govt. stikes this from the LAW awarding the foreign worker free pass to move around the island without objections being accounted for even at the level of ‘against their character’. So again Caymanians were pushed aside and this questionable character was rehired by another business.
Then we had the policy where you had to state the whether it was a work permit renewal or not on the advertisement, include the salary, and benefits. But the mightier than mighty UDP Govt. came along and removed this with the stroke of a pen. This way the employer didn’t have to prove that Caymanians actually applied for the job, because it was a renewal, and no one was checking.
Then your UDP Govt. set out to revamp the Laws somemore as that was not enough, you incorporated ‘KEY EMPLOYEES’ versus ‘KEY POSITIONS’, we Caymanians were once again suffocated from being given promotions or even hired in certain positions because it would always be headlined by a ‘KEY EMPLOYEE’. Therefore, the UDP Govt. again turns the wheels against their own Caymanian people and denounce that they could be given such a title because only a foreigner could receive this honor.
Then the DER is permitted to give out waiver letters to companies to hire persons on work permits, because their antiquated system cannot identify if a Caymanian can qualify for the job because the job description is written so biasely and catered to a specific person, they don’t waste time investigating because it is easier for them to print off a letter and put a stamp on it than it is to check to see if a Caymanian is available or force the company to offer some training to that individual to bring to the level the company needs them to be at.
So Min Rolston your Govt. has actually been more harm than good for Caymanians who want to work, versus the bunch your DFS has listed that don’t want to and abusing a system that again your Govt. leaves unchecked.
If you are trying to save face and show that you want to help everyone else besides your people then don’t use the EXCUSE of Cayman has an employability issue, every country in this world has that issue, and it is not reserved to just us alone. What you should have said is this: I as MInister of Education recognize that my Govt. has failed to set Education and the educating of our citizens a priority. We have miserably done so, and going forward we are going to do what it takes to get this resolved and see to it that every Caymanian is educated, even if it means that we have to give our Citizens free education and even if we have to enforce that Companies MUST give Caymanians who want to attend school the time off to do so and allow them to make the time up. Or we will put more classes at night at UCCI/LAW School etc. and enhance the programs there for those who work during the day and want to attend at night.
I am so disheartened by your statement, and I for one had high hopes for you as the Min. of Education, but I can see that my hopes were all in vain after reading this article with your statement.
By the way Min. Anglin, need you not forget that you didn’t just climb the education ladder single handedly, you too were given an opportunity and was assisted by more than one person to get where you are today, so don’t forget that.
There are a many young, educated and upcoming Caymanians, and I am sure that you know a few yourself that these roads your UDP Govt. is paving will bring hardships and segregation to. But then again, do you really consider the future?
re. ‘free education’. I think all the free stuff is part of the problem.
No where in the world is a society/nationality so privileged as Caymanians. No where else in the world are jobs given to people whose only qualification is being born there. Stop whining. Encourage your children to stay in school and study hard. Have a chat with your daughters and encourage them to not become "Baby Mamas" before they are old enough to vote. Have a chat with your gangster wannabe sons and encourage them to be upstanding citizens. Looking and acting like a thug isn’t cool and no employer will take you seriously if you do. Clean up your schools. Cayman is probably the richest nation in the whole of the Caribbean. There is no excuse for having a sub-standard education system where high school graduates cannot even string a sentence together let alone spell their own names. It is pathetic and it is your own fault. This is the only place in the world where an expectation exists that an employer is responsible for teaching people basic skills. Wake up Cayman…get your act together!
Here are the sordid facts – as in most countries, there will always be those who are unemployable – so that situation is not unique to Cayman. The real problem we have with employment is when a Caymanian who is willing and able to work, keep getting turned down because some ex- pat with seniority in some firm wants to hire his friend or fellow country man. Some firms deliberately mislead immigration by saying "no Caymanians applied". We need to find a method that will allow immigration to determine if the statement is actually true, and then you have the firm who is not willing to give a Caymanian the opportunity to gain the necessary experience needed to do the job, but will turn around and hire a permit holder and extend that opportunity to that individual. There is no doubt about it , the ex -pats and so called ‘paper Caymanians’ have us by the balls. We have to reduce the number of PR status that we are so eager to issue since those same people make the lives of Caymanians on the job a living hell. That’s why some of them are unhappy with the new boards – they are not getting all their permits approved as they would like!!
If I start my own business with my own money, shouldn’t I be able to hire whomever I want? It is my business, not a charity.
If by that you mean that you should be allowed to practise discrimination in your employment decisions with impunity then the answer is "no". This was the mentality of many Southerners in the U.S. during segregation. "It’s my restaurant so I should be allowed to say who can eat here etc.". It is a despicable cover for racism.
What I mean is that if I’ve invested in a business for the purpose of providing for myself and my family, does it not stand to reason that I should have the ability to act in the best interest of that business by hiring the most qualified staff regardless of their race, colour, creed, or nationality.
Some people think the "most qualified" are the ones who are willing to work the longest hours for the least amount of pay and without benefits like healthcare and pension.
If what you are saying is acceptable then it also stands to reason than anyone, regardless of race, colour, creed, or nationality should also be allowed to start a business that competes with yours and they too can hire the most qualified staff regardless of their race, colour, creed, or nationality.
Would that work for you, or would you like "protection" to kick-in at some level designated by you?
I certainly think a strong work ethic is a qualification most business people would designate as desirable in an employee. Also, I have no fear of competition – it keeps me on my toes and in the end results in better service and/or price for my customers.
To Anon Tue 11/30/2010 09:39 NO!, NO!, NO!!!!!
Your business but you have to abide by the Laws. You can hire an expat if there is no suitably qualified Caymanian. No country would allow it’s citizens to hire foreign nationals ‘just because it is their business’.
The government can’t run itself properly, but it is going to tell me how torun my business?
Well said and it’s the truth. These people will do anything to keep qualified Caymanians out.
"No where else in the world are jobs given to people whose only qualification is being born there". Nor does that happen here. It is however right that Caymanians should be given preference where they are suitably qualified.
Amen. Well said. Thank you.
20:30
Excellent letter. Keep it to use against the UDP in 2013 if not before!
Sir, you could teach the politicians in the UK a few lessons about honesty and facing up to reality.
In the UK we created the ‘chav’ mentality that preached ‘being stupid is smart’. It’s effects are very noticable amongst the longterm unemployed(mostly male) now in their early to mid-20s and I suspect you probably have similar issues in Cayman.
As someone already posted, the first step is to recognise the problem and there’s certainly no one over here willing to bust through the politcally correct BS and make a statement like this.
Sorry John, but blanket statements such as was made by Mr. Anglin are not necessarily honest but rather an insult to his people. You are right, however, that no politician in the UK would dare make such a statement because they know full well that such an insult would be met with suitable replies from their constituants.
"Promising more targeted programmes aiming to up the skill levels of the country’s work force" How many times over the years have I heard this no matter who is in power. Its all talk and no real action. Nothing will change and in 5 years time someone else will be sying the same thing.
Caymanians, One thing we need to learn is that employability ,like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.In other words ,if an employer wants a secretary who is blue eyed and blond ,then he will find any excuse for not hiring someone not fitting that description.If he prefers someone who speaks the same language as himself,or has the same accent as himself, again he will find a way to hire that person, even if there are others who meet all other requirements for the job.That’s just the way it is in Cayman.I also think greater recognition needs to be given to training on the job.Knowledge gained from on the job training should be acknowledged by the awarding of a certificate or diploma in the same way as knowledge gained from attending a college or university.There are just too many occasions when an employee (who is qualified by virtue of knowledge gained on the job) is called upon to train another employee (with a college degree ) only to have the college grad get promoted while he is not.Perhaps it is time for the CI Govt to introduce a program similar to the CLEP (College Level Education Program) used in the USA.Individuals successfully completing this program would be awarded a certificate of competency in their particular field of experience.e.g an individual with ten years experience in banking ,who has attained a supervisory position in that field would,upon successful completion of this program be awarded a certificate of competency in banking ,which would be equal to a bachelors degree in the same field.This would qualify him/her to apply for and hold any banking position requiring a bachelors degree.Should this happen then I believe we will see a dramatic drop in persons who are presently deemed unqualified and unemployable. Lenard Whittaker.
Thank you Lenard, however, please note that your suggestion, although a very good one, is of benefit to Caymanians and therefore will undoubtedly be ignored.
I do feel sorry for Caymanians. Their racism against black-skinned Jamaicans has come back to bite them in the ass. The mediocre tenth-tier people from the UK who move to Cayman and who could not cut it in London have found a new plantation to roost over. Karma is a bitch. Do you think people would take this crap in Jamaica, or Trinidad or even the BVI???
Repent Cayman, and kick them out, racism is probably the worst thingin the world. Don’t subject yourselves to it.
Rubbish. Even on the blue collar level there are tons of skilled Caymanian’s! But “others” have those jobs. Not encouraging,but a calculated plan & down right intimidating to god fearing people who are not pushy by nature.
Quoted from the Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela:
In the early 1950’s apartheid era in South Africa, Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd the minister of Bantu education, explained that education "must train and teach people in accordance with their opportunities in life." His meaning was that Africans did not and would not have any opportunities, therefore, why educate them?
"There is no place for the Bantu in the European community above the level of certain forms of labor", he said. In short, Africans should be trained to be menial workers, to be in a position of perpetual subordination.
Could this be the problem here in Cayman, that we do not have the systems in place to prepare the local people sufficiently, and the chickens are coming home now to roost ?
If i could just jump in here 18:44: We must recall that Mr Anglin’s graduating class of 1988 was a year of profound academic achievement & sixth form subsequently was in numbers never before seen nor after.Of this class over 70% obtained degree’s from (overseas) college’s & the like. So all this circle talk is the ancient practice of government appeasing those that can dictate to government what is best for them at our expense. Also top crab syndrome is rampant in Cayman & the top crab has the most enduring & complexed case of it. It is also why other’s leap over hurdles here & we Caymanian’s are in a rut. Shout out.. Karissa,your a brave young mum,that’s what it take’s huh..? Three little birds baby.
What is Karissa’s employment history? Who were her previous employers and what can they say about her? This is what matters for employers, and I found it odd that nowhere has anyone set out these important facts in that very personal campaign. If they help her employability let’s her it.
It is high time that we put our money where our mouth is as a country, and realise that EDUCATION is the great engine of personal development. When people develop a nation develops. This is the USA is such a great nation because from the 17th and 18th Century they established institutions of higher learning and a College education in the USA is a rite of passage into adulthood where most people aspire to.
To 18:26 you hit the nail right on the head, i totally agree that this is 99% of the labour problem in the Cayman Islands.
Lack of EDUCATION and no INSTITUTIONS for higher learning.
Other comments in my opinion is all political BS.
"Lack of EDUCATION and no INSTITUTIONS for higher learning".
It might have escaped your attention but in terms of institutions for higher learning we have ICCI, UCCI, the Cayman Islands Law School and St. Matthews University.
While lack of education is a significant probelm if you think the problem is that simple then you are deluded.
Rigid labour laws are an impediment to the employment of those who have failed to achieve a high level of education.
In tight economic times an employer will think twice before giving someone a chance to prove themselves if,on those occasions when it doesn’t work out, they will be faced with the time and cost of a labour tribunal. Also, if it goes wrong, the terminated workers family instantly believes a travesty of natural justice has occurred and the employer’s business suffers islandwide. The call to the cousin in immigration, or customs, or the Minister…
So they don’t hire.
Over the years I have employed hundreds of Caymanians. I don’t accept any of the nonsense about Caymanians generally being lazy or having attitude. Neither do I tolerate poor work ethics from new hires. But many have gone straight to the DER when terminated, no matter what the reason, because they have a sense of entitlement caused by the "Protection" they have been promised.
Now that the "Nowhereries" of the 80’s and 90s have their status, they too want the "protection" that they were denied for so long. Who can blame them for that.
But the economy can’t provide it now, especially in the Construction Industry where many of them were working.
They’ve been protected to the point of extinction. they haven’t been taught how to compete and some don’t see why they have to.
It’s also nonsense to continue to encourage the perception that the trades are where the low level educated are supposed to work. Engineering and Building were, and still are, among the highest and most useful professions available. But for builders we would all still be living in caves
This recession is an opportunity for our entire population to reset and rethink what is important in an employee/employer relationship in a small island community. Honesty, fairness, fidelity, integrity.
Both parties are equally responsible to cause these things to permeate the workplace.
So let’s stop making noise about expat this, expat that, work permits et al.
Pretend they don’t exist.
Come out and compete on merit, not nationality, and do what your Grandparents proved they could do.
Work hard and prove yourselves to be indispensible to your employers no matter where you stand in the chain of command. And when you decide to move on, do so with a glowing testimonial to your ability to work hard and you will never be unemployed.
For the record the TVET programme was started by the previous UDP government under the leadership of Roy Bodden and stopped by the PPM.
May I suggest that the MLA’s, Dept. of Employment Relations etc. etc., go to businesses such as the big 3 supermarkets, Home Centres etc. and ask them honestly (without retribution), why it makes good business sense for them to bring people half-way around the world to stock their shelves and man their checkout registers?
Maybe honest answers & home truths will switch on a few lights and will enlighten them as to why they won’t use the local workforce.
The lights were switched on long ago, its called "cheap labour".
…whom they can easily exploit.
Very interesting comment! I worked at one of the Big Three Supermarkets for six years prior to leaving island. For six years, my employer posted ads in the paper to hire someone in my department. In all six years, only three Caymanians applied all coming from the Department of Employement Retlations. Of the three, two never showed for the interviews and the third is now a department manager (after receiveing training and being promoted). I believe the supermarkets get a bad rap because they are very visible. I do however feel it is more cayman pride holding them back then the ability to do the work. They just don’t want to be seen working in that type of environment and would rather work in a bank or something of higher profile.
does it take education to do all jobs? No.Stop with your excuses.
College degree or not, you will have a problem getting a job as Caymanian.Plus the pressure to keep it with the stigma of being Caymanian employed in a foreign company.
Caymanian Employers shame on you.You should be called to the challenge of helping your own people.
IF you cannot help your own who is expected to help??
All hope abandon, ye who enter here! (Dante A.)
If the present world go astray, the cause is in you, in you it is to be sought. (Dante A.)
Mr. Anglin is nothing but a news anchor – an honest commentator on the present state of affairs. Based on the number of comments on this board, it appears that many Caymanians remain loath to face the truth. From 2005 onwards, Cayman has begun its slide into the deep abyss. Though the foundations for this slide had been set years earlier, it is now inevitable and irreversible. As it continues to gather momentum, matters will get progressively and exponentially worse.
Wow! A Caymanian actually acknowledging the root of Caymans self employment problems instead of attacking everything and everyone else! With this knowledge in hand now something meaningfull can happen for the future. Everyone would love to hire and be a customer to anyone who is competent, well trained, and easy to get along with. Maybe now CIG will use some of the peoples money to teach them how to make money. Mr Rolston Anglin even I am impressed. That took some guts.
My name says it all. But this could go further, improvements needed in the educational system and parenting could also do a lot to bring about a good work ethic and respect, from our future generations in addition to similar incentives to assist both those in school and the unemployed in obtaining vocational qualifications in areas that interest them. I know several resourceful young men out on the clean-up right now, that lack the qualifications, but could teach qualified engineers, mechanics, and electricians a thing or two!
I am shocked that there have yet to be any comments about the Ministers statement about Caymanian employability.
Personally I think it is very brave and a breakthrough in the denial that for some members of the society there is a problem.
It is a complex issue with no doubt a complex cure.
Baloney!
Mr. Anglin you are learning from the best. I though is was well put. Instead of saying something like WE need to fix our education system NOW or should I say a fFEW generations ago but let’s start by enploying ttework permit holder a few hours a week (evenings) FREE, such as electrical, air conditioning, food server,barenders etc,etc.And to be MANDOTARY written in black and white when your employer files for your work permit. Schools will be empty at night or on the job TRAINING. One don’t work out have to get someone else. We know one thing for sure WE are good at cleaning the ROADSIDES aren’t we ? And we are thankful for that BUT we deserve a bit More than that don’t you THINK ?
‘…..let’s start by enploying ttework permit holder a few hours a week (evenings) FREE, such as electrical, air conditioning, food server,barenders etc,etc.And to be MANDOTARY written in black and white when your employer files for your work permit.’
Are you serious? Are you a new dictator? Do you believe in slavery?
Go get yourself an education.
What?
I think the poster was unwittingly proving Anglin’s point about the education system leaving some Caymanians unemployable.
The main problem here is the public education system which employs a negligent standard of advancing students year by year and then graduating them based on attendance rather than GPA. Once the students become young adults they are severely ill-prepared and tend to gravitate to menial jobs that do not require any ambition or advancement of skills. This needs to be addressed and tackled vigorously.
In government perhaps….?
For too long many, many Caymanians have been denied the opportunity to progress on the jobs mainly because of the govt using the work-permits to be sold for revenue!!
The problem we have here today is a direct result of govts like this one interferring with the immigration system to please a select group.
Education was on the udp manifesto for over 16 years and yet you FAILED to support or implement or protect what should promised to do.
The only reason that we are at this stage with education, is SOLELY because you have no choice – PPM started it and you MUST finish it!!
Sadly though, the cost of our education will triple now that the udp have caused the construction contract to be breached and Tom Jones will sue us for an amount that many future generations will have to pay for!!
Well done Mr. Anglin.
Recognizing and acknowledging that a problem exists is the first step to fixing it.
I pray that he can move forward with realistic second and third steps so that Caymanian families and individuals who are struggling to survive in this chaotic modern world can move on and become prosperous and productive.
Education is the key! If you don’t learn you do not graduate. The other is to have a permanent immigration board with 12 members to actually go through applications made by Caymanians for jobs who are qualified to get that position.
Yes!!! I know of three people who played by all the rules, got their permanent residency, own homes here, volunteer in the community, and they had to leave due to work permit renewals just being rubber stamped approved….
Come on…..PROVE that there is NO suitable Caymanian and stop this unemployment.
I’m sick of the companies that bully their way and suck up to Big Mac while to get their permits approved.
When we go back to zero unemployment, then let the work permits slide again, until then GET QUALIFIED CAYMANIANS BACK TO WORK!!!
Rolston,
XXXX
Have you as Minister for Education and Labor visited those businesses who refuse to hire QUALIFIED CAYMANIANS? The answer is NO! XXXX
We do realize the main reason Caymanians born here cannot get a job is BECAUSE PAPER CAYMANIANS granted Cayman Status in 2003 by Mr. McKeeva Bush have taken up all many of those positions. But there are still a lot of job openings. They’re JUSAT NOT OPEN TO CAYMANIANS BY BIRTH !
As a result businesses biased and prejudiced against the local people REFUSE TO HIRE CAYMANIANS THAT ARE QUALIFIED. THEY HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU ROLSTON that are a member of the cabinet that appoints WORK PERMIT BOARDS TO GRANT WORK PERMITS TO PEOPLE THAT FILL POSITIONS CAYMANIANS ARE QUALIFIED TO DO!
We do not believe your story. Sorry, We know better, Try again.
Simmer down buds.
I once had an employer "Caymanian business owner" tell me he doesn’t like to employ Caymanians because we are lazy and don’t want to work and that we don’t realize we are the ones ruining the country. (He used the "F" bomb to replace ruining) This may be applicable to a few indiviuals but not everyone. He in particular prefers to hire expats as he can slave drive them, pay them chicken feed, rob them of health insurance and pension benefits and of course they don’t complain out of their desperation to remain in the island for said chicken feed which equates to loads of money in their homeland. I wonder if this treatment bothers them at all or will they just subject themselves to anything for the mighty buck. Caymanians on the other hand will blab and complain to anyone who will listen and expose the crooked minded individuals. I visted a few businesses the other day and I have never seen more Filipinos and employed in some positions that many Caymanians are qualified to do or can be trained for. Nobody can convince me this is fair to us!!
Listen Trueblood, it is the immigration that is giving these people the work permits. No one to blame but them, they are ruining this country.
Did he call himself "Trueblood"? Is this Harry Potter? I would never want to employ anyone who calls themselves "Trueblood".
99% of Paper Caymanians DESERVE their rights.
They bought homes here, paid for their children’s private education because their own children are not allowed in Cayman schools, they VOLUNTEER in the community, they bought houses, pay high insurance bills, they should be treated just the same as birth-right Caymanians.
If a qualified paper Caymanian is suited for the job, they should get it.
Why don’t you go out and get the same degree and experience….then you would also be qualified
Caymanian businesses are exactly like any other business in the world. Skilled, competent, experienced workers make for a successful business no matter the nationality of the workers or owners period. Have someone read the last sentence to you at least 3 times.
If you have no skill, no experience, and no wish to get any than all you have left is what people like YOU have. Crying, begging, and anger that anyone else gets the job you want. Being a Caymanian by birth is not enough to be a success. For Cayman to be a success everyone needs to do the work they get payed for. Look and Government finances. Where and what was all that money spent on? No one in the public sector will ever know the truth thanks to incompetent, unskilled but highly payed workers.
All that money belonged mostly to Caymanians by birth!
I believe that unemployment (organizations just not hiring), and employability are both major issues which go hand-in-hand. Many companies are cutting jobs because of the economic climate (this is no surprise).
It is true however, that many Caymanians are unable to get jobs because they just aren’t qualified. People are quick to point the finger at the surge of expats coming in and taking the jobs, but in many cases, if there were Caymanians qualified enough who could fill the position, this would not be the case. Now, I am by no means saying that there is no unfair treatment out there in terms of Caymanians not getting the jobs simply because they are Caymanian. I have seen this myself…non-locals being chosen over locals.
However, the fact remains that many young Caymanians are eager to graduate high school and run into the financial industry to secure jobs. This is fine, as I myself had to do this. However, when people elect not to further their education and go to college or some other form of higher learning, they are shooting themselves in the foot. Hiring managers love candidates who have years of experience in the field, but if you lack that degree, then chances are someone else will shine above you and get the position. Just look in the newspaper and tell me how many jobs (particularly higher paying ones) do not require at least a Bachelor’s Degree?! Very few.
I just look at my close circle of friends and half of them possess degrees, while the other half do not. I can clearly see a correlation between their lack of formal education and the jobs they hold. They all have ambition, are intelligent, and for teh most part business savy. But they LACK THE EDUCATION. I have watched this for years. It was the same before the economic turmoil, and will be the same after. Caymanians must get their education in order to shine. It is far too competitive a world out there to not have this nowadays. This will help to reduce the number of instances where you see Caymanians not getting the jobs while others do.
Degrees are not enough. Experience, Attitude, and Interview skills are just as important. Permit fees are substantial for senior positions. I don’t know an employer that wouldn’t gladly forgo a permit fee, if there were a suitable local candidate with experience, that presented themselves competently in the interview process.
Carrying a whiff of expat resentment or job entitlement will end the interview process without you even knowing what happened.
I recall a similar speech he madeabout a year ago. It’s the truth but action speak louder than words, however. Wait, action, you say? bahah nonsense. Sigh.
Dear Powers that Be:
What a perfectly articulated description of THE TRUTH SURROUNDING WHAT IS REALLY AND TRULY HAPPENING TO OUR CAYMANIAN PEOPLE even our educated professionals. Right under our nose!
The Cayman Islands’ business employment systems enhanced by government work permit predator shenanigans are just not designed in the least to accommodate Caymanians in the workplace. Whether they are QUALIFIEDOR NOT JOB opportunity for Caymanians in their own country is almost impossible to acquire for its own people, and almost extinct.
The time has come for serious minded candidates to run in the next election 2013. Not with an agenda to pull in a big monthly pay check, but with a heart for the people and an agenda that will put the people first and put people back to work, whether they are professionals,skilled or unskilled. This can only be made possible by electing the proper representation.Candidates that love their people that will go to bat for them no matter what. The UDP do not fit this description.
I repeat what has already been said by other writers in these forums, ‘that if a government CANNOT CREATE JOBS AND SECURE JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR ITS PEOPLE, it is just simply USELESS AND ‘WORTHLESS!"
Now that the Honorable Mr. Rolston Anglin has publicly confessed that he and all his UDP cronies are working for big businesses and NOT THE PEOPLE, then it should not be such a hard task convincing Caymanians that Mr. Anglin does not deserve a vote from the people of West Bay EVER AGAIN! as he is not representing the people, but Corporate Cayman! I hope we do not have to endure the pain of another UDP victory in West Bay ever again. Let us see just how much sense is demonstrated by West Bayers at the polls in the 2013 elections.
West Bayers you are causing the country way too much harm by electing these West Bay candidates that continue to make decisions that daily upset, and relinquish job opportunity for our people.WEST BAYERS YOU SHOULD NOT VOTE THIS man nor any of the UDP members back into office in 2013. The words spoken by Mr. Rolstan Anglin in his recent letter to the press are words spoken by a TRAITOR to his own people!
The Minister of Education making statements of doom against his people, it was absolutely Shocking and very disappointing indeed!
Without Corporate Cayman there will be no opportunities for even qualified Caymanians.
Sticking your heads in the sand about Cayman’s problems are not going to fix it. The majority of your people, although very lovely folks, are simply not always qualified for the jobs. It my 10+ years mentoring young Caymanians on the job (before you ask, yes I am an expat that takes an interest in your people), I have seen some remarkable candidates that have moved on and climbed the corporate ladder, but the majority just simply did not cut it. Most struggled with even basic English. Their English was just too shockingly and embarrassingly atrocious that I could never allow them direct contact with clients. I even arranged numerous remedial English for those that needed help, but the damage was simply already done, perhaps in elementary school. Cayman needs to clean up its act, so that good jobs aren’t considered a birth right, but are earned on merit and because your future generations have the necessary skill to perform what is required of them by their employers.
The utilization of High School Guidance and Career Counselling services seems to be sorely lacking. Many young people cannot differentiate between a job and a career, but they know they want a Mercedes Benz, and feel they are owed one, via a "good job". Many will fail in their ambition simply because their heart isn’t into what they perceive to be a "good job" here in Cayman. Happy and productive people are usually well-suited to their chosen profession and the results are a natural progression of their enthusiasm and aptitudes. Career Tests, Personality Tests, even Resume and Interview preparation are all available online, and school leaders and parents should be utilizing these tools in preparing their children for productive lives in what is now a competitive modern global economy. It isn’t easy out there for anyone. Having the right attitude and career plan is the best starting point. http://www.careerplanner.com/
I am all for getting Caymanians trained and qualified. Certainly this will improve our prospects of obtaining employment. However, it is simply nonsense to state that "Cayman has an employability issue not an unemployment issue”. That may have been said with some justification 2 years ago when unemployment was low and mostly due to unemployability but it certainly cannot legitimately be said today. Did our unemployables suddenly quadruple in two years? Have those Caymanians who were employed suddenly become unemployable because they lost their jobs? The fact remains that there are qualified Caymanians who cannot obtain a job despite great efforts. Some are even told that they are over-qualified for the jobs that are available. Cayman obviously has both.
As far as I can see, the problem with "employability" starts with a school system that allows every student to pass from grade to grade, regardless of whether they learned anything or not. In my opinion, it would be far more beneficial to Cayman and each student if they learned from an early age that you have to work hard to succeed both in the classroom and in life. The problem this country is experiencing at this time began a long time ago and every education minister from 1980’s to present are part to blame for this failure.
what nonsense….. how come low skill workers can come from the other side of the world to fill thousands of jobs here but local unskilled caymanians won’t do the same work????
Another fancy word for "you are Stupid" come now cousin Rolston tell us the truth about what is really behind this crime situation. Stop covering up for those who really could careless what is happening to Cayman so long as they GP Get paid and they can put gas in their SUV.
Yes we do have to offer more opportunities for Caymanians to become educated and qualified for employment, everyone knows that and I am sure agrees.
the bigger problem that government should deal with is the prevalence of discrimination against Caymanians in the workplace. that has been overlooked and ignored and the recent changes on the work permit board shows that government is more concerned with making $$$ from fees.
It is my view that the long-term objective of the Government (any government) should be to reduce the income from work permits to $0.00 this will not leave a void in the budget because the additional income Caymanians will be earning would go straight into the economy and would even multiply when theyapply for financing to build homes, businesses, real-estate.
when this is the case Government can happily hand up their hats, visit the pub and say "Job well done" – until that happens, there is a lot left to be done.
We are not prejudice people.
yes education have long failed the majority. PPM the previous Govt. had 4 years, they cannot be blamed for the education failure,
no one completes K-12 in 4 years and enters the work force.
however the vast majority of Caymanians go to work daily and do an excellent job and reap the rewards of a hard days work, provide for our family and are friendly to those that want our friendship.
FACT,
Talk to any expat (from all sectors/trades) that HAD/have, a job and a good relationship with their EMPLOYER, they will tell you that once they got status the relationship immediatly changed, close expat friends became distant and they quickly became an outcast. now what do that tell us?
most of you need to wake up, look at the last 30 years, do an honest evaluation, put CAYMAN FIRST "1st." and you will see where our problems really started and who put the pedal to the metal to take us where we are today.
lets regroup, priotorise and think Cayman 1st., self 2nd. and we will all be better off.
THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW, TURN IN THE BAD ONES AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL PROSPER is that not what you (we) all really want.
Economics 101.
1) Belief. As long as government collects a work permit fee, government is going to facilitate businesses hiring expats over Caymanians. Fact, it is in the interest of the businessman to keep his costs low. It is therefore in the interest of the businessman to hire a Caymanian first.
2) Belief. If an expat leaves, his job remains. We simply can’t figure out why as more expats leave, more Caymanians are out of jobs. Fact, the answer is globalization and digital age. The expat employers often don’t need to be here. When they go, they take their jobs with them. How long will it take our voters to figure this one out?
3) Belief. Cayman is for Caymanians. Fact, businesses will go where it best suits them. Businesses care about their bottom line – not Caymanians. If that business demands top notch educated people, without government interference, it is better business to set up shop in Halifax than Grand Cayman. So although Cayman is for Caymanians, business don’t really care unless Cayman can provide highly educated and motivated people. Not to be able to compete with other Caymanians, but to be able to compete globally. In short, UCCI has to produce the same level of student as Dalhousie does. Look it up at http://www.dal.ca
Solution. The solution now is what it always has been – education. Instead of purchasing SUV’s, traveling the world, building fancy buildings we can’t finish, overpaying people and having high levels of inefficiency (government accounting departments) we should have been pumping dollar after dollar into educating our people. Its never too late to start and we must. Otherwise Cayman will have three phases of history:
a) 1503 to 1965 the island time forgot.
b) 1965 to 2004 global financial centre
c) 2005 to – just another island in the caribbean.
but from my experience in the tourism sector in CI below is what I observed with some Caymanians working in the hospitality sector:
1) they did not want to work for tips
2) ‘serving’ other was below them
3) not willing to work shift work nor holidays
4) unable to leave their cell phone in their pocket or purse for a minute without checking it for texts or emails
5) wouldn’t work or bartend outside (too hot, too sweaty, it would ruin my hair)
6) unwilling to communicate with guests in plain english (rented a car from the airport lately?)
7) didn’t want to deal with stupid tourists- despite the tourists being the reason behind them having a job.
8) doesn’t pay enough
Your attitude determines your altitude.
The above cannot be said for all the Caymanians I work(ed) with but definitely over 50%. The ones who were good were very good and should be mentors for other caymanians.
If those 50% don’t cut it, then they should be fired, regardless if they are Caymaninan. But for the 50% that do have the right attitude and do want to work in the industry, then they should be afforded the opportunity.
Perhaps we are at a turning point and what you say is true. However, in the past, the act of serving others, whether it be at a bar, restuarant, gas station, etc, was frowned upon.
We would be much better off we got off our high horses and realized that every successful person at one time or another worked in construction, on a farm, delivered newspapers, pumped gas, waited on people, etc. Its a part of life and there is no shame in it.
They are not staffed by locals as the compensation is 100% performance based in most cases, i.e. tips. You can make very good money at it, but you have to work very hard while being very friendly to do so.
There are other jobs available that are easier and offer more money than most Caymanians would be able to earn in the service industry and that’s why everyone in the service industry in an expat.
"They are not staffed by locals as the compensation is 100% performance based in most cases, i.e. tips"
I am in a position to know that almost no jobs are 100% performance-based. Typically there is a base salary which is then enhanced by performance-based compensation. I don’t know how anyone could actually obtain a work permit where they do not actually pay a salary to the employee. Often Caymanians in the hospitality industry are assigned positions where they will not have the ability to earn much in terms of tips. That honour goes to the expat staff.
Rolston appears to be the only member of Cabinet who has a clue.
Another red herring to HIDE THE TRUTH, there are still TOO MANY qualified Caymanians with experience and degrees that are just being passed by with work permit renewals too!
I came here as an ex-pat 16 years ago. Married a Caymanian and we are both overseas educated white collar UNEMPLOYED Caymanians.
I understand more than anyone how an expat feels, but now the Immigration Boards and BIG CRONY COMPANIES need to start following the law.
We are exhausted by trying to find a job in the white collar market here. ALL the adverts for jobs are renewals. I would not mind except we have a mortgage here, do the permit holders?!? Go ahead, let every expat keep their job if they can prove a mortgage, simple. If not, seek a qualified Caymanian.
Allow renewals only if a suitable local is not available, isn’t that the law? NOPE! Large banks, law firms, radio stations, Camana Bay and Ritz developers do not have to play by the same rules!!! ALL their good jobs bring in overseas talent and we only get a luke warm job interview…..
WHO is going to stop this??? Immigration, The useless ERC? The minister?
Stop Cronyism and get us back to work!!!
Sincerely,
White Collar Unemployed "Caymanian"
Have you tried finding a job not in the while collar sector?
That is what the rest of the world do when their unemployed they get what work they can, to bring in what ever money they can.
I’m a chartered accountant and last time I was laid off and unable to find a positon in the industry I ended up working on a refuse collector and then a shift making window frames.
Have you tried Wendy’s, BK or Fosters yet?
If you think the wage is to low, let me remind you some pay is infinitely more than NO pay
you aint no caymanian
Mr. Anglin,
If I recall- it was the UDP back in 2003 or 2004 that dropped the (TVET) Technical Vocational Education Training program. Was it because it was started by another person who was not in your party? That is the answer…technical and vocational trades programs. This is a good start and the program was very attractive back then. This is so frustrating to hear the same issues being lamented year after year….especially after such an instrumental program existed but cut off at the knees due to "party politics"
Don’t worry your little head Rollie…..you worry too much. Its only 20 days left to success. Have some faith in Ole Bush man 🙂
Somehow, many young people on Cayman need to be motivated.
This can happen only if they are truly interested in some vocation which they are capable of entering
Not everyone is capable of finishing high school, let alone obtaining a college degree.
Those people need to offered other alternatives, such as trades, nursing, auto mechanics and dental assistants.
Excuse me, good nurses have college degrees in nursing. Those who do not are only qualified to change bed pans.
Independent Candidates in West Bay, WE NEED A STRONG INDEPENDENT BASE to beat the UDP in 2013 stop playing around and get busy!
Mario Ebanks need to top the list. He’s a man of honor, dignity and integrity, and HONEST! Mario proved himself helping a lot of people from his own district as well as people from all over the island. He served us well as a Permanent Secretary with a heart for the people.
LETS GIVE THIS HONEST MAN A CHANCE!
Mario Ebanks in 2013 for the District of West Bay.West Bayers I’m depending on you!
The mentality that it is only accountants, and lawyers that are professionals here need to change?
Many of the brightest people opt for the sciences, but then again that is largely ignored here or the professions that apply the sciences seem to also be forgotten.
What is the training of Mr. Dart should give you a clue!
Finally, someone from the UDP got something right!
Finally, a Politician that speaks the truth, hats off to you Mr. Rolston Anglin. No company will employ someone with the necessary skills based on nationality. This is the problem and also root cause of the crime issue that exist in cayman today. Idle hands create havic.
Sounds a lot like the situation facing the USA and the UK today.
A simple review of their unemployment statistics (and percentage of population dependent on government handouts) reveals a similar story. Especially when viewed against the backdrop of outsourcing and / or "in-sourcing" (recent EU expansion and subsequent influx of Eastern European workers) – the UK "blue collar" job market is currently in turmoil!
The biggest mistake the 1st world community has made (and Cayman falls into this category) is viewing "education" as the great savior or its people.
Is education crucial and necessary? Of course!
However, too many of the "leaders", government officials and political elites forgot to remember that blue collar and manual labour is, and has been, the foundation of every society.
Yes – producing a few doctors, lawyers and bankers is fine – however, those professions will ALWAYS be in the minority! Plumbers, bus drivers, construction workers, shop clerks, electricians, cooks, cashiers, nurses etc. will always be in high demand.
We have made the drastic and far too common mistake of bullying our people toward the "respectable" professions – often in a "do or die" manner.
What has resulted is an outright rejection and disrespect towards the majority of other professions – even though they are as crucial as any other to the working of our society. (This attitude has also been reflected in the meager salaries on offer for such employment – yet another mistake in my opinion.)
We have allowed and demanded that such "lowly" jobs go to some foreigner / expat – and most Caymanian parents would not be caught dead "admitting" that their child is only doing so-and-so across town.
As I always say – we are heading towards a crisis and the only way to avoid a full frontal collision is for us to DIVERSIFY our mindset in regards to "work" on this tiny island.
The jobs are there – this is obvious due to the near 50/50 population rate in regards to Caymanians / expats!
However, we need to wake up, look around this western world, learn from the mistakes of others and reel in this boisterous Blue Marlin accordingly.
*With that being said – I believe that we will require much more than $200,000 to get this ball rolling. $2,000,000 may be a more reasonable figure.
Lastly, I also believe that we need more hands on deck to help us along. We are beginning to fall apart at the seams – and our downfall will negatively impact and ultimately destroy the prospects, livelihoods, and futures of all Caymanian residents.
We need corporate programs to direct money and investment into our people. By that I do not meant the typical cheque photo-op to one of our retirement homes or national conservation organizations.
No, I am referring to our young people. Via the trillions that are managed and exchanged in this tiny country on an annual basis – a LOT more could be done to invest into the future of this country. (Unless of course young Caymanians are not, and never were, expected to play a visible role in our future?)
Surely some may disagree with my views however, we all need to bear in mind that like it or not – we are in this together.
Furthermore, we are on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean. Whatever negativity befalls this place will be harshly felt by each every one of us – regardless of origin, race or socioeconomic status.
** Sorry, one last thing;
PARENTS – STOP SPOILING YOUR CAYMANIAN KIDS!!!
(Responsibility is NOT learned by giving your children every heart’s desire (Ipod / Xbox / Iphone / designer clothing) regardless of their behavior, school performance and general well adjustment into society!)
whodatis makes a great point. Plumbers, electricians, masons in other countries can make as much money as people in white collar jobs. Having so many of these crucial jobs (that require hard work and getting one’s hands dirty day after day) left to work permit holders is a huge roadblock when it comes to building a truly sustainable economy. What happens if they all pick up and leave? I know there are Caymanian craftsmen and women out there. Perhaps they should organize in an effort to help the image of their trades. Of course, there is also another elephant in the room that no one seems to want to discuss: the basic understanding of what is required for success in the world of work. Punctuality and reliability are two things that can carry a person quite a ways. I once had a job wiring telphone switching offices. Although seemingly equipped by mother nature with 10 thumbs instead of the usual number, I was able to make myself valuable by simply showing up on time, day after day and doing the best I could. A supervisor told me that I was a valuable worker even though I was slower than just about anyone he had. The reason was that he knew I would be there every day and he knew how much work he could expect from me. This allowed him to make reasonable projections about meeting his timetables. Book learnin’ is more critical than ever these days, but somewhere inthe curriculum I would suggest incorporating an appreciation for the importance of a strong work ethic, without which all the book learnin’ in the world will go to waste.
Employability, Mr Anglin is caused because the Government and Private sectorn disobey the rules. The first thingthat is done is to tell the employee that he has up to seven years work here, but in that time a Caymanian must be trained. Those rules are broken, especially by the Government.
Target programmes to address skill levels will never take place; it is only Political talk to apease the Cayman voting population.
I agree that many of us Caymanians have a entitled attitude and need to start working for what we wish to receive. I also agree that there are other ways to success than obtaining a college degree. I subscribe to Gardener’s Multiple Intelligences and fully believe that God created each of us with diverse abilities that contribute to make society function optimally.
I do not agree, however, with the impression put forward here that Nursing is an uneducated vocation. Not only is a high school diploma essential, but for most entering this profession today, a 4-year Bachelors degree is required. Many Nurses have Masters and Doctorate degrees to facilitate their high level of functioning.
Okay, I will come off my soap-box now. I hope that the work the Minister and his Ministry are doing will help to quickly find a workable solution for the unemployment here in our islands.