PHILIPSBURG--The Department of Labour Affairs and Social Services will be hosting its first “large scale” registration drive at the parking lot in front of the Government Administrative Building on Thursday, September 3, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
The initiative is called the “Start Here campaign: Your path to employment and career development,” and will be themed: “Your path starts here.”
According to a press release issued on Sunday, the Start Here campaign is geared towards “boosting economic viability of a large segment of the population while also changing the perception and attitudes regarding the meditative role of the department, in the world of employment.”
Labour Affairs said on a daily basis, it is tasked with providing “effective and efficient” service for employment and/or training opportunities. The primary objective of Start Here “is to meet the demand for suitable employees by matching these employees with suitable vacancies, provided by the business community. This task becomes difficult with a small or insufficient database. The Start Here campaign aims therefore to expand and update the current database with suitable and competent jobseekers.”
The campaign will consist of four initiatives. The first will relax the requirements to register as a jobseeker, (this initiative goes into effect on August 31). Persons who register on or after this date will only need to submit a completed registration form, a copy of a valid identification card, an updated resumé and a copy of relevant diplomas and/or certificates.
The department is currently developing a platform in which job seekers and the business community can interact freely on employment opportunities. The platform will consist of vacancies separately sourced by the department during an upcoming registration drive and various profiles of persons seeking employment and career development opportunities.
The registration drive will include a “Start Here Activity” which aims to guide persons along their path to employment and career development opportunities. “Attendees will follow a path steered by important questions concerning educational backgrounds and work experience, until they arrive at their desired destination and ending with the registration process. Attendees will also be provided with information on vacancies and job training opportunities currently available at the department,” the release said.
The department’s overall theme for 2015 is accountability of all relevant stakeholders.
“As a result, the department has been working tirelessly to acquire new partnerships with businesses for employment and training opportunities. The opportunities will vary in terms of industries, requirements for educational background and experience. The department has made good strides in the area of partnerships with some of the leading companies on the island. However, more is needed and will be expected from the business community moving forward,” the release said.
Various job training and employment opportunities will also be available online during the coming months. Start Here registration form will be available for download on the website and at the department, in anticipation of the upcoming registration drive.
Employed and unemployed persons particularly high school (academic) graduates and tertiary level graduates are urged to attend the event.
Additional information on the campaign and launch of the various initiatives can be obtained by visiting www.sxmlaboraffairs.com and Facebook: sxm.laboraffairs.and.socialservices.
