Patrice Hylton, director of the Electronic Labour Exchange of the Ministry of Labour and Social Services (MLSS), has noted that a fall in demand for workers locally has been accompanied by a request from some companies that their job openings not be posted on the MLSS's electronic labour exchange system.

While noting that use of the website has risen in the first quarter of 2009, she stated that "some employers are asking us not to post the job on the system. Because the jobs are few, they do not want to be bombarded".

The ministry, she said, has facilitated this request by matching jobs to applicants from the data bank without posting the jobs online where they can be seen by everyone.

Even though job offerings are on the decline, Hylton notes that there are still many requests from the nursing sector and for accounting personnel and receptionists.

main Job seekers

Where job seekers are concerned, she states that unemployed and other workers are seeking "from a pin to an anchor". Among the applicants are numerous teachers, some lawyers and accountants.

According to Hylton, "accounting seems to be overpopulated as well as the administrative category."

While some workers may not be having much joy in their current job searches, Hylton states that the site is a fertile one for employers and is currently being enhanced to include a skills bank.

"Once the résumé goes on and shows certification, then the system allows the a skill to be stored in an easily accessed area. Employers can go straight to this link and contact as they need. The ministry is hoping that by July or earlier it will be up and running."

The director states that unit members are concerned about the level of unpreparedness of many workers, especially those "seeking domestic positions and store work".

Consequently, they have brought in a HEART Trust/NTA representative who "comes here every third Monday and signs them up for skills training. They are some who cannot read who we refer to the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning."

consider entrepreneurial activity

Because job supply has fallen, unit members have also been encouraging callers and those who come as job seekers to consider entrepreneurial activity, referring them to the Jamaica Business Development Company.

Advice is also given on building appealing résumés.

Says Hylton, "Some have worked in family businesses and have other kinds of experience which can be put on their résumés. They will have customer-service skills and the ability to check money. We emphasise that although you might not have worked for pay, this can be added to your résumé."

avia.ustanny@gleanerjm.com

Should you ask your boss for help?

Internationally, a shift in part-time studying can be attributed to the shift in employment patterns, whereby persons are no longer expected to stay in one job for their entire working lives.

To keep up with the constant changes in the workplace, individuals must continuously upgrade their skills.

It is worth asking your manager or human-resource representative if your company offers a tuition assistance programme and, in doing so, ensure that you highlight the benefits the course or programme will bring to the company.

Read these and other stories on our website.

Labour-exchange activity

During the period January 31, 2002 to December 31, 2008, approximately 7,032 vacancies and 12,199 résumés were posted on the system.

Up to the end of December 2008, a total of 422 companies were registered and approved and 3,574 individual employers were registered.

A total of 6,020 persons were interviewed via the labour exchange and 2,760 were employed.

In April 2009, only 86 jobs were posted.

Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Services survey.