The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), a division of the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry has found work for over 2500 job seekers in 2011, but the new Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul warned that too many persons were graduating in the social sciences when the country was in need of geologists, economists and engineers.
Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul
Dr Gopaul told Guyana Times International in an interview on Tuesday that the CRMA had handled over 3000 vacancies from a variety of employers last year, but was only able to fill 2500 based upon the skills that were available to it.
The CRMA provides a free service to persons in search of employment, their second objectives is to showcase as many vacancies as possible and assist in matching persons to jobs that suit their skill levels.
Dr Gopaul told GTI that the agency over the years has created a database which tracks unemployed persons in Guyana looking for work. While it may not be a fully comprehensive list, the CRMA is providing a service that Dr Gopaul hopes will gain greater attention in 2012.
Dr Gopaul stated that, “Employers have an opportunity with the CRMA; they have access to a resource that can only assist in the development of employment strategies within Guyana”. Only last year, CRMA launched an Interactive online programme at its Camp Street office. The website www.crma-gy. com will enable employers to register their business, and employers to access vacancies online without the hassle of going directly to an organisation.
Meanwhile, Dr Gopaul said he hopes for more collaboration, not only with the public sector, but also with the private sector and the University of Guyana in the training and job placement for citizens.
“Collaboration must happen immediately”. In order to “satisfy training needs” the labour ministry will need to be more aggressive in educating youths. Dr Gopaul stated that it was not just domestically that the ministry was looking at training and development, but also overseas.
Dr Gopaul stated that by furthering education and looking towards international standards, the workforce in Guyana will continue to grow and improve. He alluded to the fact that while no tangible concrete plans are in place after, “examining the systems we have in place,” revaluation will occur and implementation of new and viable techniques will be necessary.
Dr Gopaul stated that the ministry does have one major concern. He told this publication that there are a large number of university graduates coming out of school with social science degrees when Guyana is in need of “economists, geologists, and engineers”. Dr Gopaul reiterated that education was incredibly important, but by having young people focus on booming industries within Guyana, there can be a solid future for graduates and the economy.
Guyana’s growth industries include the mining sector, along with the expectations of oil and gas development through offshore drilling. The aging rice and sugar sectors will continue to be a large part of Guyana’s continued development, but a focus on incorporating technological aspects has seemed promising, since the election of former president Bharrat Jagdeo. The labour minister has noted that since primary industries are ever expanding, the need for more programmes and training remain relevant to date.
The newly appointed labour minister is on the fast track to ensuring the CRMA takes on a more vital role in employment standards in 2012.
The CFRMA provides a free service for all job seekers looking for employment. The Employment Exchange, the CRMA’s precursor, was established in 1944 by the government of Guyana to help facilitate worker and employers’ needs.
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