CIG creates new department of ‘WORC’

| 25/05/2018 | 75 Comments

Cayman News Service(CNS): Government’s much-anticipated merger of the work permit and residency elements of the immigration department with the workforce development agency will be known as WORC, according to a press release issued Friday. The establishment of this new department, Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman, is geared towards restructuring the country’s labour market. The interim director of this new government unit, Sharon Roulstone, said it was much more than a merger.

“With WORC, we are redesigning how employment and workforce development in the Cayman Islands is managed, with a focus on two inter-related elements: full Caymanian employment and a well-supplied business community that is globally competitive,” she said. “This is not simply a merger of the Department of Immigration and the National Workforce Development Agency; it is entirely brand new.”

The release stated that the new department aims to deliver durable employment and opportunities for the advancement of Caymanians through development, training, internship, apprenticeships and partnerships with private sector businesses. It will have responsibility for the processing of work permits, permanent residency and Caymanian Status applications.

“WORC’s business processes and technology platforms will not only help Caymanian job seekers and employers more efficiently find each other through an online jobs clearing house, it will help identify, train and develop those Caymanians who need additional skills and support to effectively compete in and provide value to the job market,” Roulstone said. “WORC will also engage with the business community and incorporate new systems and processes that enable us to collect the data needed to make informed decisions going forward.”

Roulstone explained that by analysing the data collected, “we can inform learning institutions and training programme designers on gaps in the labour market, so they can tailor their programme to best prepare Caymanians for roles that will be in demand”.

The new department was envisioned by Premier Alden McLaughlin, who has responsibility for human resources and immigration, and it formed a central part of the PPM’s political campaign platform last year.

“Through this reform initiative, our objective is to ensure all Caymanians successfully attain employment, where every Caymanian who is able, willing and qualified to work has a job,” McLaughlin said. “The key to growth is a flourishing private sector business community, but to grow sustainably. Cayman’s robust economy was founded on the strong entrepreneurial spirit of Caymanians, and we plan to continue our progress forward leaving no one behind.”

The change process to develop WORC is in progress, with completion scheduled for summer 2019.

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Category: Jobs, Local News, Politics

Comments (75)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    The acronym WORC is right up there with the following sillies:
    BMW. Big Money Waste
    BOYS. Being Obnoxious Youthful Souls
    CRAFT. Well, I won’t spell this one out!?
    DIET. Do I Eat Today?
    FORD. For Only Retarded Drivers
    LAME. Laughable And Mildly Entertaining
    MATH. Mental Abuse To Humans
    SPITT Stupid People I Talk To
    WIFE. Washing, Ironing, Feeding, Etc.
    And finally,
    WTF. Worse than Failure

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  2. Anononymous says:

    You guys…have any of you actually gone through and looked at the state of our economy? The government is now trying to do something about it and some of you are complaining and thinking the worst and even bringing God’s name into this without thought. Sure not many of us may like the name, but instead of bashing this move, how many of you who are doubting it – actually doing something for the benefit of the economy? Are you willing to go the extra mile for our future generations or are you going to be keyboard gangsters? Sure – the Government has failed to deliver what was promised and not promised at times but here is an opportunity to engage with them wisely. Start by asking questions and thinking about strategies of implementation to make WORC what we need it to be. Have any of you gone that far or are we limiting ourself to CNS comments section? And let’s be kind in the comments. Someone mentioned God so I’d like to mention the verse where it says to Speak the Truth in LOVE. Speak wisely. Don’t act as if you know it all. Share your thoughts with discretion. And let’s speak respectfully of our politicians and leaders and government in a respectful manner. Speak about them the exact same way you would want someone to speak about you. I’m not saying that we should comment our concerns – do that! Just be mindful of what you’re saying, how you’re saying it, while being mature about how we go about processing this change. K. Carry on now 🙂

  3. Anonymous says:

    I think this is good news. The way it works now, Caymanians don’t have any way of appealing their case when they get passed up for promotions or jobs, but because the system is held with Immigration, expats do! having a department that is distinct and separate from Immigration make this right. Congratulations on finally taking this ugly mess on and finally giving it the overhaul it has desperately needed!

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  4. Fifth Harmony says:

    That name got to go though.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Please review certain occupations where the amount of work permits seem highly unnecessary. Perfect example…realtors/estate agents. Far too many overcharging companies popping up on island which are mostly staffed by ex-pats working in a field that could be occupied by any Caymanian of working age with sales knowledge and some basic training.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Problem in real estate field is that many promising Caymanians don’t want to work for commissions only and hace to be on call 7 days a week, with weekends being the busiest days of the week

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      • Anonymous says:

        It is illegal to employ people on commission only. It is also illegal to be an independent contractor unless you are Caymanian. Dive masters and waiters can excel, but Caymanians with degrees are not qualified. Almost the whole real estate sector has operated as a criminal enterprise for decades. Thank heaven we do not enforce our own laws.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Same circus, same clowns, different name. The system was working for everyone that wanted a job or workers that work.They are now going to try and make their mark by making it better. How about fixing all the Government sponsored work that makes sure to hire Caymanians over expats and make them at least functional before trying to mess up private business just so they look good. Try to fix the government trash pick up at least.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    I hoping that Ms. Sharon does not avail herself of Alden’s Kool-Aid.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Oh Lord God, please deliver us from politicians that do not know you. May you manifest their greed to the people, so they can see the deception of politics.
    Please dear Father in heaven, arise and show your power.
    Bless the humble and break the proud.
    Let truth flourish in our dark world.
    Let the Cayman Islands be a place where your name is revered.
    Thanks for listening.
    You always listen.
    Amen.

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  9. Tim says:

    More wasting taxpayers money! Why start and new board while we already have one, NWDA. Fix the problem first before expanding government board.

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    • RICK says:

      What tax payers ?
      Caymanians don’t pay income tax

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      • Anonymous says:

        That doesn’t mean we don’t pay other taxes! In case you truly are not aware, we pay 22% or more on everything we buy on island, stamp duty for pretty much every financial transaction and fuel gas. Those might not be income taxes but they are still taxes.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Actually there are some things you buy on island that are not taxed. Staple foods like milk and bread are not. And while individuals would have less money if they had to pay taxes on those items, the country would have much more.

      • Anonymous says:

        Rick you peasant, why do you think goods are so expensive in Cayman…

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  10. Stanley Baldwin says:

    Another harebrained plan by our leader(s). It must be getting close to campaign time. But why would anyone want this???

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    • West Bay Premier says:

      Why is the Immigration getting involved with employment opportunities ? I would think that is a conflict of interest to everyone including Caymanians who they are claiming to protect and help. That name WORC was used too many times in the article to mean anything good . Why is it going to take so long to complete , one year away .

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      • Anonymous says:

        Our immigration law is charged first and foremost with protecting opportunities for Caymanians. That is different from equivalents in many other countries, but that is what ours does, and used to do very well. Anyone saying otherwise has not read it, does not understand it, or is being disingenuous.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The problem is the existing Immigration Department, other than being not fit for purpose, is a confusing hodge podge of employment matters and border/residency control. That’s half the problem with it so now its duties are being split up – so that’s, in theory, good believe it or not. There are many challenges however……

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        • Anonymous says:

          Blame the politicians, their unworkable tweaks to the legislation, and their corrupt business friends who do not want any law applied to them. Do not blame the Department.

      • Anonymous says:

        It looks like this is what this is trying to do – separate out immigration from workforce. this has always been the toot of the problem, right? tying together immigration status and trying to enforce the law to protect caymanians. I am surprised at all the negativity about this- the current system is so obviously broken – this is a new way of organising everything so that it has a chance of reducing caymanian unemloyment.

  11. Michel says:

    The name is not the issue here. I wish all rhe best to Ms. Sharon. Keep the corruption out of your board keep on for training programs for Caymanians to also have access to jobs. Your biggest challenge will be dealing with HR’s on permit themselves. NOT all Caymanians are lazy and stupid like many claim. Good Luck and keep them honest. I have Faith in our future before it’s too late and we become.like starving Blue Iguanas.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    maybe ask alden about civil service performance first……..?
    oh yeah …the ppm stopped government press briefings,,,,
    this place is a total joke.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if this new Dept will assist first time offenders in securing a job either in the private or public sector? There are many who have made a mistake and paid for it but still can’t secure full time employment to take care of themselves and their family. Just asking.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Something needed to be done, two totally disfunctional departments being remolded into….well we shall see. Name is a bit daft but who cares. Hopefully the presence of boards in the processes will be minimised as well.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    So I am hearing that all the same in the entities merging have to redo their resumes and apply for the new jobs created in the agency or even apply for the jobs they already have, Go figure. The staff don’t even know what’s going on here with this new merger.. they are finding out after the fact or through the news and I really think we just dressing the same pig up in a new outfit! address the real issues of unemployment not the process of finding a job.

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    • Anonymous says:

      If we are improving these services, why shouldn’t the employees have to prove their competence? Go figure what? You sound like someone who will fail the test, and you should.

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    • Anonymous says:

      if it is not the processes that need fixing, what is the cause of the problem then?

  16. Anonymous says:

    You just need to apply the regulations and start penalizing companies that lie on their permit application or abuse the process with obscure unnecessary requirements. Fine them and name and shame…make some examples!

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  17. Anonymous says:

    I know that Ms Roulstone always had the interest of Caymanians up front and center. We need that now more than ever. Please do not allow any board member to bring in any permit application on the side as is the custom. Good luck.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Not aware of her training a single Caymanian by way of offering Articles at her last firm….one should lead by example.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Can’t speak for her partner but miss Sharon nurtured both of her p.a.’s into law, both became lawyers. Doing well too.
        In a partnership 1 person doesn’t have all the say. Get your facts right before you trash people.

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        • Anonymous says:

          So that sounds like the comment was right, since you have been unable to cite any examples of someone qualifying via the articles route.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Articles isn’t the only means of helping Caymanians. She helped 2 secretaries beome lawyers, what have you done to help Caymanisns?
            It sounds like you’ve got sour grapes.

  18. Anonymous says:

    First people to be trained should be mechanics to repair and maintain the Garbage trucks. Then train people to collect the garbage on a timely basis.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Caymanians have full employment. The ones that don’t work either don’t want to, have drug/alcohol problems, are criminals or simply just not trained or educated in the field they want to work. Every country has an unemployment rate and Cayman has one of the lowest.

    Caymanians have all the advantages in the workforce and for CIG to still say there is a Caymanian employment problem means elections are coming soon and they want to give “good news” to make people fell less bad about voting these incompetent people back in to pillage public money.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What a bunch of convenient bullshit…go home we don’t need you

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      • Say it like it is says:

        11.47am You may not like bullshit but like so many Caymanians you cannot face the truth, saying go home is the stock short-sighted response, as if everyone follows your advice you will only have Caymanians left, most of which will have to take employment on cruise ships if they can get it, as they will simlpy be unable to run the financial sector.on their own.

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    • Anonymous says:

      And, 7:13, btw, Sharon Roulstone…a very sensible woman…knows all this. How she keeps the politicians like Bernie happy is going to be anyone’s guess. The wasters and failures cannot all, like him, become politicians for a 100k a year.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    A total disaster in the making, brought about by politicians blaming immigration for their own failings.

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    • Anonymous says:

      all said in one sentence! quite accurate actually

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    • Anonymous says:

      Be afraid Cayman, very afraid.

      Which Minister destroyed the education system and grossly overspent on schools?
      Which Minister destroyed a bent, but not broken, immigration system?
      Which Minister came up with WORC?
      Which Minister is now seeking full internal self governance (which everything from the port to airport proves we are not yet ready for)?

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Fingers crossed nothing changes.

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  22. West Bay Premier says:

    This WORC program won’t help Caymanians even if you need training or if you’re experienced. It will help you if you buy a work permit for the program . Just a another way to control and issue work permits .

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  23. Anonymous says:

    6:35. You need help!

    Thank you CIG. This is could be a watershed moment in protecting Caymanians in the whacky private sector.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    So niether entities functioned properly before, now they’re merging them into one “brand new” entity called “WORC”, no less! (sheesh that’s terrible).

    What could possibly go wrong!?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Read the article. It is NOT a merger.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not only that but at least two laws need to be rewritten at the same time – labour and immigration.

      A total clusterfck in the making. God help us all.

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  25. Stanley Baldwin says:

    It must be getting closer to election time than I thought……….. but I guess it’s never too early to start blowing smoke.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    And they wonder why the Civil Service is growing!

    They create these nonsensical structures to appease certain voters who keep them in office and to try to do what is impossible, i.e. provide employment for the unemployable!

    Try to get a Work Permit for a Domestic Helper now without calling your local buffoon politician. It will be next to impossible.

    And the beat goes on…….

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  27. Anonymous says:

    Look at that 635. Get a grip!! WORC is an acronym and very catchy and easy to remember. Ease up on others. By the Grace of God go any of us poor imperfect people. Others are looking good jobs and something to eat. Don’t be so snooty. God has blessed some of us so could you please have a heart and wish others a good life too? Others just want rent money and food on table.

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  28. Anonymous says:

    That is the stupidest name I’ve ever heard. It’s painful when people mash words together trying to make a relevant acronym.

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  29. Ground hog day says:

    Another bad idea by PPM. This is the rebranded NWDA with the same staff poor quality and limited resources. The pretense of doing something but another bad creation that Alden and Austin Harris must take full ownership when the same issues are highlighted

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  30. Anonymous says:

    Terrible name!!

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  31. Anonymous says:

    Love it…another encouragement for those who can barely write English to screw it up some more…I gotta get back to worc now…pass me the WORCestershire sauce

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    • Anonymous says:

      At least the new organisation will give Caymanians who have not had a real chance of finding employment the opportunity – those who have been denied because of the proliferation of the “stupid Caymanian” lie.
      Those Caymanians mostly have others to legitimately blame for their failings – like dead beat fathers and an Education system that continues to fail them. They should get your empathy, not your hubris.
      What say you about the failings of those who have been given a chance – those with superior qualifications heading up financial services who spend their days snorting cocaine and laundering money? Are they better because they are educated and not from here?
      I will take my chances on trying to help a Caymanian who deserves a chance over some greedy opportunist who had the chance and blew it. God knows there are plenty of them out there, in both camps.

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      • Anonymous says:

        If the new department has a way to provide that opportunity, why doesn’t the NWDA just do it?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Real talk like a dictionary

      • Say it like it is says:

        8.28pm So you condemn the whole financial sector on the just announced arrest of one man! Why don’t you recite the never ending list of Caymanians suspended on full pay for years before they get their just desserts.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Blaming everyone else is a Cayman (and other nations) pastime that I abhor. You may have been dealt a rough hand early, but the only person who can do anything about it is the person concerned. If they want to learn, they can.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why don’t you f**k off. This is a very good move and helps to ensure our Caymanians is employed. You must be expat who feels threatened by this new unit. If Caymanians can’t get employment in cayman then where in the f** k will they get it. Well done Alden

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      • Anonymous says:

        @6:59 – no reason to be so rude. Now that’s not what ‘Cayman Kind’ is all about is it.

        I agree with 6:35pm…. really?!?! ‘WORC’ – wonder how long it took them to come up with that acronym. It’s a JOKE.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Alden has refused to enforce the Immigration Law. What has been happening is a disaster of his making. His proposed fix is a deflection away from his failings.

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        • Anonymous says:

          So true…I used to think he was delusional and really dull…but he has done and continues to do so many things that hurt caymanians that I don’t think anyone can be that stupid…so he must have a personal agenda and benefactor.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Caymanians is employed? You need to WORC on your English.

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