News
Almost 300 Jobs, 127 coming seeking work, says Labour Commissioner
#TurksandCaicos, November 5, 2021 – There are more jobs available in Turks and Caicos than there are people to fill them, and this was again laid bare at the recent ‘pop up’ job fair hosted by the Employment Services Department, which welcomed major employers with nearly 300 positions available. The Department reported that it logged 127 people turned out on the hunt for work; they were good candidates but not nearly enough to cover the need.
“I think in some instances we do struggle to find the skillset locally so it wouldn’t be fair to say that it is across the board, there are some positions for which you can definitely find the talent locally and the ones thing as someone who works in Human Resources, that I am constantly reminded of is that you can hire the personality and always train the skill. There are some positions of course, where there is a requirement for skill from the onset and in those instances, sometimes we don’t have a choice but to look elsewhere.
Sheeba Wilson, was one of the many Human Resources Manages who came fully prepared to recruit. Wilson, is also a motivation speaker and life coach and shared that even if companies are fortunate enough to pull talent from another in country entity, it still creates a void.
“So, I think that the approach that the government has been taking in terms of looking at what skills are lacking and trying to get scholarships for those particular areas is a good one, but it is going to take some time to build up to that pool of talent. And I encourage employers to, with the younger persons, bring them in as interns. We have many success stories of persons who started out as interns and have grown in the industry and that could be in any industry. That’s an approach we can try to take to assist…”
This low showing was however not discouraging. In fact, most companies were beaming about the opportunity and some found what they needed with the hope that the Department could turn the Job Fair into a quarterly event.
“Today was a very successful day for us as a team. We are actively looking to hire a number of persons I various
roles, frontline persons as in flight attendants and customer service agents behind the scene, ramp agents and security. We have accomplished quite a bit of interviews today and we feel that we will be able to hire more than half of the need to fill the roles we are currently looking to fill. I was saying to my colleague, that they should do this every three months” said Claudette Gibson, Human Resources Manager, interCaribbean Airways.
The caliber of candidates presenting themselves for the jobs at the Job Fair held on Friday October 29 at the Down Town Ball Park in Providenciales, was impressive to the HR teams on site.
“Pleased is an understatement. This has worked out very well for InterCaribbean Airways which has some 64 job openings according to Mrs. Gibson.
Edwin Taylor, Labour Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos Islands confirmed there were nearly 300 positions being offered by the companies at the Job Fair, which opened from 10am to 2pm. In an open air environment, with tents, tables and chairs provided by the Department, anyone who needed work or wanted to consider a career change was invited to come out.
The rush came early, and was a good mix of male and female, mostly younger and a few older job seekers.
“We were able to actually find some really good candidates. One thing that stood out were the smiles. We hire personalities,” said Sheeba Wilson, Group Director of Human Resources, Grace Bay Resorts, adding, “You can always train the skill but it is important for the person to come with the right attitude and to have that warmth that is required in hospitality. We found a lot of that today and so it’s now just going back and going through who were the stand-out candidates and just contacting them to meet with the various department managers.”
Wilson reminded that tourism high season is approaching and the Job Fair provided a “perfect” environment to connect with fresh talent.
“I think it was actually a good balance between male and female and in terms of the generations, I think most of persons were younger people between the ages of 18 to about 35.”
Leading grocery store chains were on site namely: Graceway Supermarkets and Sunny Foods; a local beverage company, Turks Head Brewery needed five new staffers. There were jobs in the aviation industry with interCaribbean Airways and TCA Handling; security firms with some 60 jobs open including WCCS were on site; the health sector had the TCI Hospitals and leading resorts like Hartling Group, Ritz Carlton, Grace Bay Resorts, Turks and Caicos Collection and Beaches Resort Villages & Spa stayed for the full five hour function.
“The island has been busy throughout this year and so it has really been hard trying to find talent so I am glad that the Employment Services Department took the initiative to put this on and to give employers the opportunity to come to the people; we were able to scout and find those personalities and further development them,” explained Wilson.
There were 17 companies at the Employment Services Department Job Fair.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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