The Tribune

More than 100 Abaconians attended China Harbour Engineering Company’s (CHEC) Tuesday job fair that sought recruits to work on the construction of North Abaco’s $39 million port.

Herschell Edgecombe, 26, was confident that the project’s construction will in turn kick-start more activity on the island. He was one of the first people in attendance at the Faith Walk Church of God in Coopers Town even before the job fair officially opened its doors.

“For the young people to be able to get a good job first, and establish themselves so they can do some more business and work on other things, is important,” said the young father. “Then you get to help other businesses to start … for instance, they can buy tennis, clothes, hardware and food, so everyone benefits from that. I just want to position myself to make a life for myself and my family.”

Mr Edgecombe’s story was one of many at the job fair, where nearly 150 people from throughout the Bahamas submitted applications and were interviewed on the spot.

CHEC principal, Felix Chang, said the event gave the company an understanding of what skill sets were available on the island.

“This project has huge potential for growth of the economy in North Abaco, and Abaco in general,” said Mr Chang. “So it is important for us to build a team of qualified persons who will help us make this port a reality.”

CHEC has extended the time for applicants who were not able to bring all the required documents (copy of NIB card, references and police record) to the job fair. Applicants with incomplete applications have up to two weeks to drop them off at the island administrator’s office in North Abaco.

CHEC has hired the services of an independent human resource firm to make decisions on hiring employees, in an effort to keep the process fair and impartial. Over the next few weeks, CHEC expects successful candidates will be short listed for the available positions before a final selection is made.