NiCE workers to get certificates
Community clean-up group at work (file photo)
(CNS): The government plans to give workers who have signed up for the summer National Community Enhancement Project (NiCE) clean-up programme a training and participation certificate, suggesting that it will be a “valuable addition” to the resumes of permanent job seekers as they look for work and help them secure a full-time job. Planning Minister Joey Hew, who is spearheading the nationwide project, said the 460 workers who signed up had a chance to “learn new skills” during the two-week work project clearing beach access and tidying up public spaces, and that some may be enlisted to help with the planned iguana cull.
Government has confirmed that the numbers of local unemployed people who signed up last week for the second roadside clean-up of the year fell from over 600 people at Christmas to around 460.
The project’s manager, Levi Allen of the Public Works Department, said the programme would enhance the physical environment. In addition, workers who satisfactorily complete the project would receive graded references highlighting their level of performance following input from their foremen, as well as a certificate.
The ministry is also considering how some of those who signed up can, in due course, be engaged to assist in culling invasive iguanas, though no details of how that would work have been released.
“The project’s new elements have been included to provide the unemployed with the chance to learn new skills and demonstrate their ability and willingness to work efficiently as part of a team,” Hew said in a release. He added that NiCE workers would now be able to use their time with the project to show prospective employers that they are reliable, conscientious and have the appropriate work ethic.
“It is hoped that most of the persons working the project will eventually transition into further or full-time employment,” he said.
Hew admitted that NiCE was not a solution to the challenges faced by a significant number of locals who, according to the latest government statistics, are out of work, which show overall unemployment at 4.9%. However, unemployment among Caymanians is running at around 7%.
“The NiCE project is not intended to be a ‘fix-all’ for the unemployed; it provides assistance to those between jobs and for others who, for whatever reasons, are unable to maintain full-time employment, while at the same time providing services to the community,” Hew said.
Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour, whose ministry is partnering with planning for this project, said the decision to run a second NiCE project this year was in response to the need for families’ back-to-school costs.
“It will also serve to prepare us ahead of the forecasted busy tourism season,” Seymour stated.
Category: Jobs, Local News
Joe Hew PLEASE take your head out of your ass. How about doing something that would really benefit the people?
CUT WORK PERMITS NUMBERS BY HALF .
I would really love to see the effect of that. I’m guessing you’d see about 6,000 NICE workers milling about the streets at Christmas time.
Its really sad . I have been searching for a construction job going 13 weeks now, from construction site to construction site and I can get a days pay. I have over 20 years experience in the field and never had it so difficult to get hired. Honestly I really don’t know what to do. I spoke to a few Jamaicans friends and even to them are complaining its hard to get a job.
The government need to cut back on the work permits especially when it comes to trade and labor. Contractors and sub contractors are taking out permits like its going out of style. Immigration is approving work permits to the contractors when more than half of them don’t have work for the people that their taking the work permits out for. many of these contractors are hiring people from other contractors that don’t have work for their work permit employees . its basically a slave trade.
Not even worth the paper it’s printed on!!
Someone please tell me this was a joke? A NICE certificate is not an Industry recognized qualification it’s just proof that you worked on the program for two weeks which is something you could just simply add to your resume. Caymanians really deserve better than this joke of a Government we have. These UDP styles initiatives are proof that Mac is running the show behind the scenes
Joey is clueless the nonsense he speaks about proves it yet wants to be the next Premier. God bless these tiny islands.
But it shows something, and that matters. As an employer, I would want to know who in Cayman is joining programs like NICE, going the extra mile to get work. So issuing certificates does help!
Employer , You would still hire that expat that will work for less money , over that certificate.
Just another worthless piece of paper to say I am doing something , just like being a Caymanian , means sh????t in job market .
and picking up garbage is preparing them for what specific future endeavor ? Brilliant idea on the certificates by the way, not at all a blatant attempt to buy votes, and celebrate mediocrity while also instantly creating more trash that needs to be picked up and thrown away.
So much jealousness when the government does something to help caymanians. Folks we know you are envious by the fact that you are not a caymanian. But please don’t make it so obvious.
That kind of thinking won’t get your PR approved
I sure hope your Aldart and not some deluded Caymanian who doesn’t see him trading our future for short term window dressing….he is giving away our future.
Envious? Of a Nice certificate. Right. You don’t get out much, do you?
I feel a lot of the comments are actually Caymanian’s. Expats don’t really care about how our Government is run.
Youll be shock of commenters that are not Caymanian, and posting negative junk on this site. As well, from overseas.
here’s an idea…
how a certificate for those who go out and do reall jobs everyday and who make a contribution to society????
These people just literally picked up your garbage!
no they didn’t because i don’t litter
yep…. it certify’s that you are too lazy to take a real job.
By reading some of these comments –
Cayman can be such a toxic, negative and ignorant country. You really have to be strong minded to live here.
Signed a born and raised Caymanian woman
Toxic from the top down.
A certificate? Yes please. Yippee!!
LOL!
Due to the common nature of the recipients, Aldart will regrettably not be able to attend the ceremony however a suitable alternative of glasses drawn on an empty conch shell has been found to officiate the ceremony.
certified votes?
A “certified cleaner”???
Wow,if that’s all it takes buy yourself a reem of paper and a printer and have at it. Certificates for all!
This will certainly be useful if they apply for a Civil Service job.
PLEASE …
I’m speaking to the government and private sector –
Why not make this NICE job program an event at least once a month or quarter (3 months) in a year – to
1. Clean up roadsides and garbage
2. Cull Iguanas / lion fish
3. Plant trees / landscape
4. Paint government buildings
Et cetera …
I am sure both private and public sectors can find things for the unemployed to do, and muster the funds to do it.
IS ANYONE PAYING ATTENTION?!!!
LOL Joey Who is a joke!
Another sign the apocalypse is upon us
Picking up garbage and painting sidewalks are now key skills under Joey and the unity government. SMH
A two week road side rubbish cleanup is Hew’s idea of a solution. Does he recognize there are fifty two weeks in a year for those in between jobs desperate for employment?
What a complete waste of my vote in GT. Never again such a disappointment.
How NICE Mr. Who *face palm*
Meaningless. This government pats themselves on their backs while celebrating mediocrity.
This can be a highly motivating factor for some of these individuals. 🙂
“This is to Certify that you are a Nice Worker”. Kinda catchy. Kinda useless. Why not save the money and give these guys some vocational training…something useful…Iguana or Rooster culling, bricklaying or building site skills with the proper qualification….
Construction companies don’t want caymanians. If you don’t belive me drive around with your tools and ask for a job. You have to be jamaican or Spaniard.
ha ha ha.. certificate…just keep voting for us…ok!????