THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM a firm believer that today's Government is the primary cause of the high level of unemployment in our society, and though I am unwavering in this stance, I must admit that there are other contributing factors fuelling this problem.
A key factor in the cause of unemployment, is -- 'employers.'
Due to the "seeming" availability of jobs, The Sunday Gleaner now carries a section entitled "Careers". This is not a reflection of job creation. In fact, these positions have become available because the previous employees have (i) migrated,(ii) found better paying jobs or (iii) have simply found more profitable means of employment. When the unemployed apply for these jobs they are turned down on the basis of, lack of experience or lack of the required qualifications.
There was a time when being qualified meant having a pass in Mathematics and English; today being qualified means, "being the holder of a degree". No offence to holders of degrees, however it is my opinion and the opinion of others I'm sure, that having a degree does not necessarily mean that you are more intelligent than the next person or yet, better able to do the job. It simply means you were able to afford the tuition. I believe in the importance of higher education, but in instances what you learn in school has absolutely nothing to do with the jobs you perform in the office.
For too long, employers have turned away persons without degrees, who could in the long or even the short-run prove to be assets to their organisations. And what I find most disheartening is the fact that some of these employers are not holders of degrees or if they are, didn't get where they are because they had them at the start but simply because someone had the insight and gave them a chance.
Employers, it is now time to realise that you are a contributing factor to unemployment in our society, stop taking resumes at face value and start doing your bit to curb unemployment and help in restoring our decaying economic fabric.
I am, etc.,
ROXANNA HARRIOTT
roxyharriott@hotmail.com
