Submitted by Mark Brathwaite
I was looking at one of the leading local print publications over the last week and was absolutely surprised and disgusted to see the number of applications for work permits for various positions at the Almond Hotel Properties. The advertised positions were, Executive Chef, Executive Assistant Manager, Director of Hotel Operations and Director of Food and Beverage.
Now I cannot for one minute believe that given Tourism has been our number one business for years, and the number of Barbadians graduating from institutions and gaining experience over the years at our local hotels, that no suitable locals can be found to fill this many Tourism related positions. In 2010? I most strongly object to the applications for work permits by this employer until responsible authorities including the Chief Immigration officer and the Ministry of Tourism, fully investigate the activity surrounding screening Barbadian applicants for these positions. It certainly does not bode well for our industry and educational investments as a nation if a local hotel cannot find suitable Barbadian talent to fill routine positions, which can be found at almost every hotel on the island.
Just last week some of our Barbadian talented chefs won gold in Puerto Rico for their culinary skills, and yet we can’t get and Executive Chef position filled by a suitable local candidate? It makes no sense. Why do we have Barbadians pursuing Tourism Management at the associate degree and full degree levels if this situation obtains. Where are we going as a country if our locals are not in influential roles of our number one industry? What does this say about the quality of our academic training and on-the-job training of Barbadians if this many positions can’t be filled by local candidates trained at the Community College, UWI and our local hotel industry including the likes of Sandy Lane and Royal Westmoreland. Am I really to believe that no suitable vacancies exist? Really? Our Ministry of Tourism and Education should be embarrassed by the implications of these work permit applications, as clearly there is a disconnect between the industry’s development and that of the Barbadian population.
And after the investigation is made, and by chance no suitable Barbadian candidates are found, then Almond Hotels should be allowed to bring some person in for 1 year maximum with the strict provision and monitoring to ensure that local(s) MUST be trained to assume these responsibilities at the end of the year. This should not simply become an easy way for employers to shirk their responsibility to develop local talent.
We have to be vigilant in these times to ensure that Barbadian talent and persons continue to benefit from the development of our number one industry.
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