A shortage of teachers, police officers and nurses in the Federation was the theme of the opening ceremony of the 2007 Career Fair organized by the Human Resources Department of the Nevis Island Administration.
Held at the Methodist Church Conference Hall, the event was under the direction of Honourable Joseph Parry, Premier of Nevis. Others attending included Deputy Governor Eustace John, representative of the Cuban embassy, Vance Amory and ministers of the NIA.
Matron Aldris Dias of Alexandra Hospital said the facility needed at least 15 more nurses to bring the staff up to par. She said there is a widespread shortage of nurses and health care personnel not only in Nevis, but around the globe.
‘Nursing is a wonderful profession,’ she said. ‘It is the only profession that takes care of a person from birth until the time that person dies.’
Venetta Hobson-Moving, permanent secretary in the human resources ministry, said other professionals are needed, including environmentalists, social practitioners, technical experts and food specialists.
Nurse Manager Adriana Ward-Stanley said one reason more people are not going into nursing is that they don’t like the night shifts.
‘Nursing is a very rewarding profession,’ she said. ‘You nurse a sick person, they get better and that is the reward. It is very gratifying.’
Nobody succeeds in a job without being willing to work hard, said Elmeader Brookes, NIA Human Resources Manager.
‘If people want to be successful in a career, they have to prepare for the jobs,’ she said. She pointed out that the career fair was created to bring to the public job careers they can pursue. And at this time in history, she said, it is very easy for a person to get hired as a nurse, teacher or policeman if they are qualified.
Parry urged parents and teachers to find out what young people in pre-school want to be, adding that some students in Nevis have no idea which career to pursue.
A developmental program for young people would include setting up and equipping libraries with the Internet and homework programs to help young people decide on the course of their lives. Parry said the government would support students who are qualified to study abroad by helping pay their tuition.
‘We are not concerned with outstanding scholars alone,’ he said, ‘but with people who are fully qualified in whatever area to serve the country.’
He urged senior government officials to show young people what their roles in society should be. He also recognized the presence of the Cuban delegation and praised them for helping provide Nevis with light bulbs and an ophthalmologist.
Mrs. Hobson said the career fair is a ‘key ingredient’ in developing the nation. She said in March a live radio panel discussion was held that was titled, ‘Positioning People for Advancement of National Development.’
It showcased many career opportunities that are presently available in public and private sectors and that will be available in the future.
It is important to tap into young minds, she said. She believes students in the lower forms of secondary schools will be better able to make informed choices about future careers with the help of events like the career fair.
‘We want people to discover what energizes them,’ Mrs. Hobson said.
The role of government is to recruit trained and trainable persons to carry out the activities and programs within the public sector, she added.
Ashley Farrell, event chairman, said he was delighted to see the young people who are interested in careers, but that he wished the number could have been greater.
Jerome Rawlings of the Nevis Division of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce emphasized that youth must think globally if they want to prosper in the future.
He also urged citizens and government to work on ridding the island of criminal activities in order to make the island safer and more productive for everyone, tourists and locals alike.
‘If you are interested in getting into business in Nevis, you should be prepared to develop the franchise and spread your wings regionally and globally,’ said Rawlings.
‘If Dominoes Pizza and Kentucky Fried Chicken can come here, why can’t we do business up there?’ he asked those present.
Students and administrators, teachers from high schools and primary schools around Nevis and the general public attended the fair.
