TCI losing against developed countries for its Bright, Young Talent; DP says he won’t lose hope

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, November 28, 2022 – It’s not just a lack of jobs, but the quality of life of larger, more developed countries which is proving a formidable foe in retaining young, educated talent islanders whose navel strings are buried in the Turks and Caicos.

Dazzling escapes, legendary cities, iconic monuments and the array of activities are so captivating and alluring to Turks and Caicos Islanders travelling and studying abroad, many are opting not to return home and the government says it is painfully well aware.

“There are a number of things when you say quality of life” he explained.  “If you like different types of food, you’ll have all the choices, if you want to watch movies- if you want to work with all sorts of different companies you’ve got a number of different choices and so the young people go out there, particularly the UK, and they go, wow this is a much bigger world– Not every time they go out there it’s because job opportunities are not here, the bigger world provides them with a million more opportunities,” he maintained.

A recent UN study substantiated Saunders’ account.

It said, “To address the “brain drain” source countries need to work on improving conditions that will provide greater incentives for highly skilled workers to remain at home.  These may include better human rights, wages, more modern health and education facilities as well as creating a more suitable environment for businesses.”

The Deputy Premier maintained that as a growing country, the TCI was starting to provide those things like bustling nightlife and more varied employment opportunities.

“In terms of countries we are a teenager but we are filling in those gaps for things for them to do; more interesting jobs for them to do, more interesting problems for them to work on.  I understand the frustration but what we’re having is the growing pain of our young country.  What they are seeing is ‘first world’ and we are ‘developing world’– so I don’t want you to lose hope.”

The responses and admissions emerged at a town hall meeting held Monday November 21, when the government was asked, ‘what it was doing to attract young TCI minds back home.’