Hundreds of people crowded into Sherbourne Conference Centre in hopes of employment opportunities at the Job Expo.

THE ABSENCE of "progressive jobs"
at last Tuesday's
Job Expo by the National Employment Bureau (NEB), left a number
of visitors discouraged.

Several hundred job-seekers ranging in ages 13 to 50-plus descended on Sherbourne Conference Centre, Two-Mile Hill, St Michael, to seek new or better employment.

However, potential applicants like Kerry Holligan, who is in her 30s, said she was not impressed with the options presented.

"This expo to me has completely devalued Barbadian labour. You have people coming here with tons of CVs and qualifications and you have places that are looking for jobs that
don't meet their needs.

"We were coming hoping to find more organisations like Light
& Power, banks and other places, that would provide that kind of quality work, room for improvement
and progress rather
than a production line.

"Even if you can get an entry level position at those companies, so you can work your way up, those kinds of companies aren't here," she said.

Many others attending were satisfied with the variety of companies which offered a diversity of jobs in manufacturing, finance, hospitals, insurance, retail, food services and security.

"I came just to see what my options were. I am looking to change jobs so this is good and hopefully I will find something," said one young man who asked that his name not be used.

Another student,
who wanted to remain anonymous, said she
was "getting a lot of information so that
when I am ready to
apply I have a better
idea of what I want".

Chief Labour Officer Edla Lowe told the
DAILY NATION: While there were similar criticisms last year, we tried to extend it this
time, and at the same time, students can have
an insight so when they are making a career choice, they have a better understanding of what
is available and what
the companies are about," she said.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Civil Service, Senator
Arni Walters in lauding the NEB said: "In seeking to satisfy the needs of patrons to the Job Expo, the planning committee made the decision to change the location from Grand Salle, Central Bank to Sherbourne Conference Centre.

"This present
venue offers space to accommodate more booths, increasing the initial capacity from 18 to 30 [employers], . . . and by extension presenting
a wider range of occupational options
to job seekers."

The HIV/AIDS and the G.I.V.E initiative (Great Attitudes Initiative Values and Excellence) both had booths set up, distributing information on health and well-being in the workplace, while the Barbados Council for the Disabled booth offered people living with disabilities and special needs, assistance in the workplace. (TM)