Ministry of Labour & Social Security

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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles (second left), gesticulates as he addresses culinary workers who will depart the island on July 4, for an eight-month training programme at the Red River College in Manitoba, Canada. Others (from left) are: Acting Director, Manpower Services, Andrea Miller-Stennett and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Alvin McIntosh. The meeting was held at the Ministry's North Street offices on July 3.

Eighteen culinary workers will depart on July 4 for Canada, to participate in an eight-month training programme at the Red River College, in Manitoba.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, who addressed the workers on July 3, at a meeting, held at the Ministry's North Street Offices, urged them to take seriously, opportunities given to them.

"So, anybody who is not ready for the challenge shouldn't take the plane tomorrow morning. Whatever investments you have put in can be lost in ten seconds if you are not interested," Mr. Charles said.

"You have some people who say they are just waiting to land to run away. Well, we have your fingerprints, we have your photographs and I promise you, anybody who runs off from the programme, your fingerprints and photographs will be submitted to the Canadian authorities," he warned.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, addressing culinary workers who will depart the island on July 4, for an eight-month training programme at the Red River College in Manitoba, Canada. The meeting was held at the Ministry's North Street offices on July 3.

Mr. Charles also urged the group to represent the country well, as based on performance, it may present an opportunity for other Jamaicans to be trained also.

"What you do and how you do it will guarantee jobs for another 600 Jamaicans. It is going to be rough, it is cold. It is an area where you don't meet friends regularly, but if you are interested, in a few years, you can make yourself what you want to be," the Minister said.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Government and Red River College to train 20 persons in the area of culinary arts.

Canada and Jamaica have enjoyed a close relationship, with thousands of Jamaicans benefitting from work programmes, such as the Canada/Jamaica Agricultural Workers Programme. Jamaicans have also been recruited by the Ministry to work as industrial mechanics, chefs and security guards in Canada.

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