CITA and NWDA back on track over tourism jobs

(CNS): Cayman’s tourism association, government’s job agency and a local MLA appear to have patched up their differences over the recruitment of locals into the sector. Government’s back bench MLA Alva Suckoo had raised a number of concerns about a recent job drive but a meeting with CITA last week has left him “encouraged” that the industry is going to do all it can to get Caymanians back into tourism.

Last week Suckoo, government officials and representatives from the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) met to discuss some of the concerns that had been raised and to address the disagreements that had arisen over a job drive, work permits and how to get local people working in the sector again. Following his own concerns that the most recent job drive had been manipulated by some employers, Suckoo said last week’s meeting had resulted in renewed effort to address the problems and barriers that are preventing Caymanians for participating in the success of tourism.

“I am very encouraged by the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by everyone and I have every confidence that we will be able to address the concerns that many Caymanians have with regard to being a part of the tourism industry,” the Bodden Town PPM representative said. “I look forward to working with CITA and the NWDA to make it a reality,” he added.

During the meeting a number of goals were agreed, including the aim that all students completing the training at the new Hospitality School are placed in jobs in Cayman’s tourism industry. Also, all students on tourism ministry and other national scholarships with a tourism focus will be connected to someone in the sector to ensure they receive job offers, placements or internships after their studies.

Government officials stated that the job drive will be redefined with an effective communication plan agreed in advance. Training gaps for NWDA clients will be identified and, where possible, the industry will step up and provide that training.

With the disputes over how many jobs were actually up for grabs during the last drive, CITA has agreed that the NWDA should become the national clearinghouse for jobs, giving job seekers, immigration, labour and employers a completely transparent view of the employment situation and allowing Caymanians access to opportunities that would otherwise become work permits.

The current president of CITA, Ken Hydes, will step down in a few months as his tenure comes to an end but he has committed to supporting the efforts agreed and to ensure continuity into the new administration after the industry body elects its new representatives.

“From CITA’s perspective, we have a really amazing opportunity to make progress on a national topic and we are committed to do so,” Hydes said in a government press release about the meeting.

As Cayman enjoys unprecedented successes with air arrivals and vastly improved visitor numbers in the cruise sector, there are genuine concerns that Caymanians are not enjoying that success and are struggling to find work in the industry that was once a significant employer of local labour.

The ease with which permits can be granted, the decline in pay for many jobs in the industry and a lack of training opportunities have been cited as some of the causes why locals are no longer the people that visitors to Cayman are meeting during their stay.

The tourism minister and the deputy premier, Moses Kirkconnell, said projected increases in the number of visitors coming to Cayman means there will be more jobs coming on line in the industry.

“I wholeheartedly support CITA and the NWDA’s desire to work together to ensure that Caymanians get jobs in the tourism industry,” he said. “When people travel to a foreign country, it is the locals they want driving the taxis, serving them in restaurants and greeting them at hotels,” he added.