3rd February
Jobless Claim “Ridiculous”
Candia Dames
Minister of Labour and Immigration Vincent Peet said on Thursday that it is “ridiculous” for anyone to say that the country’s unemployment rate is 10.2 percent.
That figure was released by the Department of Statistics in late October, but government officials, who had for months been pointing to the widespread employment opportunities coming on line due to anchor developments, had questioned its accuracy.
Minister Peet made the statement while touting the major benefits of the Atlantis Phase III project on Paradise Island during a tour of the project.
"That figure is ridiculous; we are certainly below that," he said. "I’m not into those kinds of things right now. We’re talking about people who want to work. I’m convinced that anyone who wants to work in the country now can find work.
"The reality is that on the ground, wherever you go, developments are all over the country."
His comment came after Vice President of Kerzner International Development Rick Bodge told The Bahama Journal that the project was employing 900 workers, 86 percent of whom are Bahamians.
Mr. Bodge said that within four months another 600 jobs will be available on Atlantis Phase III and by August, the total number of available jobs at the project site is projected to be 2,500.
"We really need to accelerate the employment," he said.
The project is providing jobs for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
Mr. Bodge said what Kerzner is doing is providing tremendous opportunities to Bahamian workers and he pointed out that it only makes sense for contractors on the project to use local labour.
The tour of the Phase III construction site came after 120 apprentices graduated from an apprentice programme being sponsored by Kerzner, the government and Baha Mar, which is embarking on a billion-dollar development at Cable Beach.
"This apprentice programme that we’ve developed was really initiated by Kerzner and it’s a commitment that (CEO) Butch Kerzner and (Chairman) Sol Kerzner made toward the development of Phase III and we’re simply implementing their plan," Mr. Bodge said.
"I think the efforts that not only ourselves, but the various ministries and Baha Mar have put out there will really show our interest in developing those tradesmen."
Mr. Bodge said that Kerzner would be delighted if it could get 100 percent Bahamian tradesmen, which is why it is so interested in the programme.
The apprenticeship programme’s goal is to produce 136 skilled workers in the first phase. On Wednesday, 110 of them completed their courses.
Minister Peet said the initial phase will produce: 19 carpenters; 32 electricians; 14 masons; 18 plumbers; seven tile setters; 10 welders; 10 painters; and 16 workers skilled in dry walling, in addition to other tradesmen.
Kaydon Dean, 17, said on Wednesday he was grateful for the opportunity to learn a trade.
"The experience was great and I’m learning a whole lot," said Mr. Dean, who is being trained in the area of carpentry.
Eltaro Morley, 18, said he looks forward to continuing to work on the Atlantis Phase III project and he said it was good to have a job.
He urged other young men to try to get into productive activities like the apprentice programme.
Another apprentice, Jamal Rolle, 17, said he also has been learning a lot.
"I’m going to be a carpenter. I thank Kerzner for giving me an opportunity to get a good start in life," Mr. Rolle said.
Mr. Bodge, meanwhile, reported that the overall Phase III project, including the water park and the dolphin experience facility and the hotel itself, will be completed by March 2007.
On Wednesday, workers were pouring the 7th floor of the hotel and intend to develop one floor per week until they get to 21 floors.
Asked what the greatest challenge he faces in keeping Phase III on track and in high gear, Mr. Bodge chuckled as he quickly responded, "Sol Kerzner."
"Mr. Kerzner is a very demanding person. He understands the business as well as anyone," he said.
"He has a vision that sometimes is mind boggling, but he certainly keeps the pressure on all of us to develop a project that’s got the level of detail and workmanship that’s of the highest quality along with keeping very, very strict schedules and budgets."
The Bahama Journal - Bahamas News Online Edition
Copyright Jones Communications Ltd. ©2005 - Nassau, Bahamas.
Jobless Claim “Ridiculous”
Candia Dames
Minister of Labour and Immigration Vincent Peet said on Thursday that it is “ridiculous” for anyone to say that the country’s unemployment rate is 10.2 percent.
That figure was released by the Department of Statistics in late October, but government officials, who had for months been pointing to the widespread employment opportunities coming on line due to anchor developments, had questioned its accuracy.
Minister Peet made the statement while touting the major benefits of the Atlantis Phase III project on Paradise Island during a tour of the project.
"That figure is ridiculous; we are certainly below that," he said. "I’m not into those kinds of things right now. We’re talking about people who want to work. I’m convinced that anyone who wants to work in the country now can find work.
"The reality is that on the ground, wherever you go, developments are all over the country."
His comment came after Vice President of Kerzner International Development Rick Bodge told The Bahama Journal that the project was employing 900 workers, 86 percent of whom are Bahamians.
Mr. Bodge said that within four months another 600 jobs will be available on Atlantis Phase III and by August, the total number of available jobs at the project site is projected to be 2,500.
"We really need to accelerate the employment," he said.
The project is providing jobs for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
Mr. Bodge said what Kerzner is doing is providing tremendous opportunities to Bahamian workers and he pointed out that it only makes sense for contractors on the project to use local labour.
The tour of the Phase III construction site came after 120 apprentices graduated from an apprentice programme being sponsored by Kerzner, the government and Baha Mar, which is embarking on a billion-dollar development at Cable Beach.
"This apprentice programme that we’ve developed was really initiated by Kerzner and it’s a commitment that (CEO) Butch Kerzner and (Chairman) Sol Kerzner made toward the development of Phase III and we’re simply implementing their plan," Mr. Bodge said.
"I think the efforts that not only ourselves, but the various ministries and Baha Mar have put out there will really show our interest in developing those tradesmen."
Mr. Bodge said that Kerzner would be delighted if it could get 100 percent Bahamian tradesmen, which is why it is so interested in the programme.
The apprenticeship programme’s goal is to produce 136 skilled workers in the first phase. On Wednesday, 110 of them completed their courses.
Minister Peet said the initial phase will produce: 19 carpenters; 32 electricians; 14 masons; 18 plumbers; seven tile setters; 10 welders; 10 painters; and 16 workers skilled in dry walling, in addition to other tradesmen.
Kaydon Dean, 17, said on Wednesday he was grateful for the opportunity to learn a trade.
"The experience was great and I’m learning a whole lot," said Mr. Dean, who is being trained in the area of carpentry.
Eltaro Morley, 18, said he looks forward to continuing to work on the Atlantis Phase III project and he said it was good to have a job.
He urged other young men to try to get into productive activities like the apprentice programme.
Another apprentice, Jamal Rolle, 17, said he also has been learning a lot.
"I’m going to be a carpenter. I thank Kerzner for giving me an opportunity to get a good start in life," Mr. Rolle said.
Mr. Bodge, meanwhile, reported that the overall Phase III project, including the water park and the dolphin experience facility and the hotel itself, will be completed by March 2007.
On Wednesday, workers were pouring the 7th floor of the hotel and intend to develop one floor per week until they get to 21 floors.
Asked what the greatest challenge he faces in keeping Phase III on track and in high gear, Mr. Bodge chuckled as he quickly responded, "Sol Kerzner."
"Mr. Kerzner is a very demanding person. He understands the business as well as anyone," he said.
"He has a vision that sometimes is mind boggling, but he certainly keeps the pressure on all of us to develop a project that’s got the level of detail and workmanship that’s of the highest quality along with keeping very, very strict schedules and budgets."
The Bahama Journal - Bahamas News Online Edition
Copyright Jones Communications Ltd. ©2005 - Nassau, Bahamas.
