CANADA CALLING - Mechanics and auto technicians wanted

MOVE OVER cane cutters. A group of skilled Jamaican workers have caught the eyes of Canadian employers. They are heavy-duty mechanics and auto-service technicians.

"We have started to explore the possibility of sending people into this area," said Pearnel Charles, minister of labour and security. And, according to him, the government's thrust is to seek non-traditional avenues where local talent can be utilised abroad.

"We are are looking in other areas of employment, rather than staying in the agricultural field," he continued.

Other auto-related labour opportunities in 'the Land of the Maple Leaf' includes heavy-equipment operators and welders.

In January of this year, 13 auto-service technicians and 14 heavy-duty mechanics made the trek to the North American country to take up employment opportunities through a work-study programme which will allow them to live and work in Canada.

Charles said, in recent times, Canada's construction sector has been on the uptick and recruiters have been showing an increasing interest in Jamaica's labour force.

"They are experiencing a higher economic upswing compared to several other countries and they've started to construct some bridges in that country."

Charles, who has held the portfolio since 2007, noted that his ministry was in the initial stages of the recruitment process and was encouraging qualified personnel to apply.

"We're just at the advertising stage," he said. "We have not reached the point where we have discussed quantity, examination and selection."

Prospective applicants for the post of auto-mechanics in Canada must have a level-three certification, at least five years' experience and a clean police record.

"Applicants will be tested to the Canadian standards and the successful candidates will be selected by the Canadian recruiters," he said. "All the tests will be done at the labour ministry's office."

Charles said it was not the first time auto-related jobs have become available in Canada.

"We've supplied a lot of auto-body repair men in the past," he said. "Various auto companies have employed Jamaicans to fix dents and repair cars."

According to figures supplied by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, since the start of the year, a total of 10,500 persons have gained employment through the overseas work programme. Of that number, 6,000 had been sent to Canada to fill vacancies in traditional areas such as farm work and seafood packaging, and non-traditional areas such as construction, hospitality and health care. The remaining 4,500 persons took up opportunities in the United States in the areas of hospitality and farm work.

"In my ministry, there are signs that Canada and United States will be demanding more Jamaican workers as they slowly resurge from the global recession," Charles added.

brian.bonitto@gleanerjm.com