Semaj

The difficulty of getting a job remains a growing problem which has got even worse with the global economic crisis pushing most companies towards making posts redundant.

Figures provided by the Planning Institute of Jamaica indicate that between October of 2008 and May of this year, 14,750 positions were made redundant.

This number has added to the thousands of unemployed already in search of a job.

Dr Leahcim Semaj, psychologist at the Job Bank, said persons should gravitate to recession-proof jobs, which would be the jobs most likely to be available in the future.

"There are certain jobs that are recession proof, such as teaching, nursing, police and firemen. These jobs are always available, so persons should look along those lines," the psychologist told The Gleaner.

Qualifications

To be qualified to attend a teachers' college, five O'level subjects, including English, are required. Persons hoping to go into nursing are required to have five Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) CSEC subjects, including mathematics, English and biology. At least one subject is required to be a fireman, along with a height of five feet, four inches.

To be qualified to be a policeman or policewoman, four CXCs, including mathematics and English, are required, as well as a height of at least five feet, five inches. An applicant must also be between 18 and 40 years old.

Semaj said there was no cutting back in the service industry, especially those consumers use daily. Of these, he highlighted health and security, which he said would be the biggest growth industries in the future.

"A lot of companies are having more people stealing things, so people who sell security devices and persons offering the service are on a good track."

On top of things

Semaj added that persons wanting to take the self-employed route could get on top of things by identifying the needs of the community in which they reside and try to produce products to match immediate needs.

He said surveys could be done among different groups in the community, such as churches and community clubs.

Semaj advised that food service was a prospective venture, as persons must eat. However, in investing in the service, he warned that persons should stick to the more marketable form of the two, which is either the grown, or cooked version.

He said some areas worked well with restaurants and cookshops while others operated better with the produce.

Semaj argued that persons should never take the approach that all businesses must be successful at first try. He said giving up does not spell success, so persons should continue trying, no matter the impact.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com

The Ministry of Labour accommodates persons in search of a job

Persons are required to complete an application form on its website at www.lmis-ele.org.jm. However, persons who are not technologically savvy may visit the labour department at one of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) offices.

These persons are required to submit a passport-size photo, two recommendation letters, preferably from previous employers, as well as their TRN and NIS cards.

A résumé is optional in completing the process.

Persons are screened through a mini-interview, which determines the qualifications for the type of job.