The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Department of Labour’s “Labour on the Blocks” initiative has helped 3,000 Bahamians find jobs, said Minister for Immigration and Labour Keith Bell yesterday.

Mr Bell said in his Budget debate contribution that the Labour on the Blocks initiative has helped with providing employment for any Bahamian seeking work.

Mr Bell promoted the efforts of the National Tripartite Council and how its mandate was to train and prepare Bahamians to “maximise the benefits of this economy”.

Mr Bell also said: “The NTA (National Training Agency) is designed to build a competency based training and job placement program for all Bahamians.

“I am pleased to report the National Training Agency offers the ILM level three certificate in leadership and management. Beneficiaries of this certification have been officers from our uniformed branches, the Department of Social Services, and the private sector.”

Due to the efforts of the NTA ensuring that all of their courses are accredited and certified they have been able to matriculate four cohorts into universities abroad. “In the past fiscal year, four cohorts have passed through the NTA, three in New Providence and one in Grand Bahama. In September of 2022, 114 students completed the programme. Up to date 70, of these students are fully employed. The latest cohort concluded in New Providence on May 26 with another 140 persons,” he said.

Having been the first Caribbean country to sign on to the International Labour Organisation’s Decent Work Programme and “leading the way” in its roll out, in addition to increasing the minimum wage, Mr Bell indicated the government is still making steady progress towards implementing a liveable wage.