The Tribune

By KORTNEY RODGERS

SHONARI Thompson has been searching persistently for a job in his job search since he became unemployed six months ago.

After a number of interviews for various positions unrelated to his previous line of work - as a tree trimmer round power lines for the Bahamas Electricity Corporation - Mr Thompson, 26, told The Tribune that he has resorted to working a number of odd jobs repairing cars until he finds stable employment.

“The search for a new job is very difficult,” said Mr Thompson. “I’ve had to deal with people who say they either can’t afford a new person or there’s no vacancy for a position I applied for.

“The older generations don’t want to give up their positions or retire so the younger educated people can have the chance to change our country.

“I was forced to try something different because what I did in the past wasn’t a regular job, so I had to keep an open mind.”

Despite a decrease in the rate of unemployment, the rate of unemployment among young people is still a major concern.

According to the most recent Labour Force Survey released by the Department of Statistics last week, unemployment among youths aged 15 to 24 decreased from 32.3 per cent to 28 per cent, which is significantly higher than any other age group.

In addition, unemployment in the Bahamas decreased from 15.4 per cent in November 2013 to 14.3 per cent in May 2014; however there are still many young Bahamians who are experiencing the brunt of unemployment.

Krystal Harris, 24, said she made the costly decision to pursue a college education after she lost her temporary job about a year ago.

Although she decided to study Business Marketing at a college abroad for a better chance at finding work, Ms Harris believes that she will still experience difficulty finding employment when she returns home.

“The Bahamas does not have enough opportunities in place to provide jobs for the unemployed,” she said.

“Even visiting home during the summer is a stressful process because people aren’t very interested in hiring summer students.

“I’ve currently started getting into cosmetology hoping that will help to ease the strain of not having a weekly or monthly income.”