Guyanese Ministry of Labour launched first National Job Bank

Guyana: The Ministry of Labour, March 11, 2022 (Friday), launched the country’s first National Job Bank to enable thousands of Guyanese to browse job opportunities from the comfort of their homes.

The ceremony was headed by Chief Recruitment Officer Yolanda Grant, with remarks made by Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen and Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Labour.

In the remarks, Kuppen stated that the National Job Bank was envisioned by Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, along with a commitment made in the Government’s Manifesto.

“That commitment by His Excellency was brought to reality through the charge by Minister Hamilton, to the ministry’s administration to develop a job bank which was functional and easy to navigate, serving job seekers and employers for mutually beneficial outcomes,” he noted.

The PS also said that the design of the Job Bank took into consideration the needs of employers and job seekers and was structured to allow synergistic interaction between them without the intervention of any third party through an easy-to-follow process, through the Government Initiatives.

It is important to note that there are no fees or costs associated with using the services of the job bank since it is fully funded by the Government of Guyana and will serve to supplement the Government Job Creation Initiatives.

“The job bank will be accessible from any location, where internet service is available, locally or internationally. Employers now have this valuable cost-free resource to list their vacancies to find suitable candidates to fill their vacant positions. Job seekers also have a cost-free resource to browse the job bank database to review jobs in the public or private sectors and locations that are available,” he further stated.

“To supplement the services of the job bank, the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) will be providing customer support and will also be available to job seekers and employers who want to visit for face-to-face interactions,” Bishram noted.

In his ministerial address, Minister Hamilton backdated to a meeting held in region ten last year, between the president and more than two hundred young people, and the discussion of job placement was raised.

In response, the president told the gathering that the Labour Ministry would initiate a platform to rectify and navigate the issue of employment and placement across the length and breadth of Guyana.

“Importantly, for that to happen, we had to appoint more Central Recruitment and Manpower Officers at the Head Office and in the regions, where they did not exist, we have set labour offices in every region, except for region eight. The reason is to make everything accessible to all Guyanese, wherever they are,” the minister emphasized.

Hamilton further stressed it is not just about training offered by the Board of Industrial Training; it is finding a medium to ensure that people find a job. On more important issues, the minister called for Employment Agencies to be regularized under CRMA. They will receive leverage to utilize the Job Bank, but it must be done within a framework.

Within the framework, employers that will participate must take note that there will be no fees attached to any potential employer or job seeker, and any aspect of the job bank utilized credit must be given to the ministry of labour.

Therefore, the permanent secretary will write to every existing employment agency, informing them of the launch, their participation, and most importantly, the restrictions.

The minister also extended gratitude to the National ICT Advisor/ Coordinator at the Office of the Prime Minister – Darryl Akeung, System Development Officer – Peter Changa of the Ministry of Labour and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency on the effective collaboration to launch the National Job Bank.