162 persons employed under ‘1000 Jobs’ initiative so far
A little less than 200 persons have been employed under the government’s ‘1,000 jobs in 1,000 Days’ programme so far.
Labour Minister Vincent Wheatley shared that statistic in the House of Assembly on Tuesday — the clearest data given on the success of the programme to date.
Wheatley, who was responding to questions from Opposition Leader Marlon Penn, said 2,920 jobseekers registered since the programme started on August 21, 2019.
“Of those 2,920 registered, 162 have occurred under the programme; specifically, 55 males and 107 females with the majority being between the ages of 16 and 25.”
But how many of those persons who received jobs under the programme managed to keep their jobs considering the economic downturn and subsequent job cuts caused by COVID-19?
Wheatley said he does not know.
“Of those 162 persons, it remains undetermined how many persons remain unemployed as this information relies solely on employers and job candidates reporting changes in employment status to the department,” the minister stated.
In the meantime, Wheatley said registrations for the programme saw an increase after the government’s mandated lockdown of territory because of the pandemic last year.
He said the reported numbers of job seekers may not be accurate due to “low reporting” to the Labour Department from employers and job candidates.
The minister said he hopes to address that matter “very soon”.
By BVI news’ tally, a little more than 600 days have elapsed since the programme rolled out. It is expected to be completed around April of next year.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
On the heels of just having shed 1700 jobs, why would government even trumpet this?
So it’s 1500 jobs lost total then.
I guess….congrats?
This is what our government calls “progress”
Look at the new jobs created. YEA! Don’t look at the jobs lost. No, nothing to see, move along…
Look at this? These elected people are jokers. Complete jokers. Going on 3 years and only find work for a 162 persons? When the NDP had their youth employment services program this is amount of people they would find work for in two months alone. This government is a complete and utter waste of time.
You forget there was a pandemic? Who laughing now? What you expect countless jobs in a pandemic?
I thought the economy was in overdrive? Is that not so anymore? Did it overheat and stall out? The irony of this is glaring because it seems whenever the Government falls short they make excuses about COVID-19 but when businesses voice their concerns they’re told “You need to adjust, rethink, reevaluate, revamp your business model etc. etc.”…Seems only Government has been affected by COVID.
This statistic alone tells us all we need to know about this Government. All that money spent during COVID and this is it? Of course they will blame it on the ‘pandemic’ and claim that we are still better off than so many countries who are still locking down blah blah usual nonsense. This is shameful!
The truth is there was never a real plan to find 1,000 jobs, this was all fanfare to give the impression that things were happening.
Pure political games with the youth. Then he will come back with some more l**ng statistics showing a better picture
And 1700 lost their jobs as you report elsewhere. So the net effect of government action is a net loss of 1500 jobs.
A triumph.
Welcome to BVI.
Agreed Brit
But this is the BVI and the way they do business….
And we are still closed. I can see USVI and anchorages are full. This season is about to sail by us too.
i hear you.
if we dont open in june, i’m closing and leaving for good. i already warned my 7 employees – 5 belongers – that this will happen. we are barely holding on and have had no help from government.
sorry but we cant continue this way
Works out to an efficiency of 16%, about right for these parts.
And he want to tell us the economy is in over drive. What a joke of a leader, let’s see who he blames now!
Not even half the amount? The reported numbers are embarassing!
BVILove
We are in overdrive, don’t get left behind!
1000 jobs in 1000 days. How long have you been in office, have you met your target, and have you taken into consideration the jobs that have been lost since you came into office? Give we the people who paid so much to educate ourselves some real statistics that make sense.
This premier has us as fools. 1000 jobs in a 1000 days= 4 years.
Drag racing going to bring maybe 739 more jobs. That is the plan for sure. That is one more than needed. Although by then that would be a job that Andrew could do. He going to be needing one soon enough. So all will end well.
I offered not only employment but also training and education for young people in a very promising field where is still a shortage of qualified skilled workers. What did the “government” do……denied trade license and told me to leave. Thank god I did since the islands are dying in a rapid speed. So sad to see……
So how the hell those 162 ppl don’t speak out about there jobs
Ayo stop tell lies
Ppl are suffering without jobs
The vip destroyed the bvi
Why do jobs in restaurants and bars like waitresses and bartenders go to non-belongers on work permits? Deep pocket owners can hire whoever they like. But now you want to keep belongers out of tourist eye and put us at the drag strip.