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Future jobs strategy questioned
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The PDP say they are in favour of a comprehensive, well-thought out skills strategy that ensures that our young people secure the best possible jobs but they remain deeply concerned about the cost of the Future Job Strategy and the fact that it will simply not do enough to address the training required by young people or arm them with the right skills to compete in the job market.
Investment should be channelled in a way that delivers better vocational or business skills as well as simple placement in temporary private sector jobs for those with academic qualifications.
While the Government have a mandate to carry out their programme they should reflect on the objectives and details of the scheme to ensure it provides lasting skills and meaningful training to young people, they add. The Government should also reconsider the financial scope of the scheme given the Chief Minister's own stated concerns about the state of public finances.
Elliott Phillips, PDP Employment Spokesperson said "What is clear from the Chief Minister's public address on the state of the public finances and the information provided during the most recent meeting of the House is that the tax payer is going to have to foot the bill of employing upwards of 1300 people on the training scheme in the context of a financial environment which the Government say was not as rosy as it was painted during the election campaign. We are in favour of real job creation and investing in the provision of skills and training to young people. But this scheme is expensive with no guarantee of delivering skills or jobs. Any investment in this area should be better targeted.
"Whilst we appreciate that the GSLP Government want to move quickly to make good on their electoral promises, the Government should, given the public explanation of the financial position by the Chief Minister, take the time to revisit the future sustainability of this Strategy."
09-02-12
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