​ The ILO launches the pilot of the Employability Project

This pilot project, which is in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, seeks to facilitate and encourage persons to acquire new skills and knowledge that would enhance their employability once the economy is re-energised.

In addressing the virtual launch, UN Resident Coordinator, Dider Trebucq commended the tripartite UN Agency  and the Ministry of Labour for the important, impactful and timely initiative, while underlining its relevance at this time.

“We need to prepare and adapt. Despite the negative effects of COVID-19, we must also take advantage of the opportunities it can bring,” he stated.

Given the current climate, Minister of Labour, the Hon. Colin E Jordan, emphasized that Barbadians must be better equipped and seek to capitalize on training opportunities being offered.

“As a service oriented economy, Barbados has been negatively affected with over 55,000 claims being made on the National Insurance Scheme for unemployment benefits. Approximately 10,000 of these claims relate to the tourism and hospitality sector directly,” he explained.

The project provides opportunities for participants to boost their capacity in three key areas: entrepreneurship , occupational safety and health  and social skills, and  training will be foundational and aims to provide the basis for more advanced instruction.

ILO Deputy Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Claudia Coenjaerts, told persons participating in the launch, the Employability  Project fits into the ILO’s  policy framework to tackle the COVID-19 crisis. This framework consists of four pillars: stimulating the economy, supporting enterprises, protecting workers in the workplace and utilising  social dialogue for solutions.

“It really is intended to provide an environment for enhancing skills and therefore making it easier for young people and others to be reinserted in the labour markets,” she maintained.

The courses will be offered free of cost and will be available on the platform of the National Training Initiative.

To sign up for the project, visit:https://training.nti.org.bb/