Labour Minister seeks private sector support for RATED
Deputy Premier and Labour Minister, Lorna Smith, has called on the private sector to do more in terms of partnering with the government to employ more persons, including with regard to the government’s most recent employment initiative, the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) programme.
At the time, Smith was speaking at a rebranding event for the former BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association, which has now transitioned into the Chamber of Commerce. She echoed sentiments that were earlier expressed by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley.
The government’s RATED programme, which was launched last November, was introduced after its procurement practices had come under heavy scrutiny in the wake of the Commission of Inquiry and concerns were raised over the way in which bush-cutting contracts, in particular, were being issued.
Premier Wheatley said at the time of the programme’s introduction that it was meant to be much more than an outlet to give contracts for roadside beautification exercises and Smith shared similar sentiments when she spoke.
“I firmly believe that aside from the apprenticeship, you can support us with training and you can also support us with education, especially through attachments. And I look forward to working with you very closely as the minister responsible for business development,” Smith told the Chamber of Commerce gathering.
The Labour Minister said the call made by the Premier for more Public Private Partnerships (PPP) — collaborative arrangements between the government and private organisations to jointly plan, fund, and manage projects — was well worth reiterating.
She also urged that effective collaboration between the government and the private sector was the only way she could succeed in her role as the minister responsible for that portfolio.
“My mission as the minister responsible,” Smith said, “is to increase and improve business, to make it easier to do business, and I hope to do so with your support.”
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This a good move! We ant want to hear nothing about Guyana. Sort out home!
I got a job for you Lorna. You joined the VIP and put them back in power. Take up a copy of the auditor general’s report on the Covid grants where millions of dollars went to family, friends and cronies and get that money back and put it towards the RATED PROGRAM. The government gave nothing to businesses and now you expect them to help? Woman get lost please!
I have some suggestions for the government and VIP corner holder Lorna Smith:
1. Collect the money they gave CSC to do nothing under the guise of an adviser
2. Collect back the farmers and fishermen grant that went to cronies who were not farmers
3. Collect the barge money for work the uK offered to do for free.
4. Collect the educational grants that went to cronies to the tune of 20 M
5. Collect the Covid grant that went to pay a ministers boyfriend credit card and her mother brakes for her car etc
6. Collect the money being paid out on the greedy bill
Lorna, the vip sins have now become yours. By joining then you have endorsed their previous conduct. You cannot go into a pig pen with clean clothes and expect not to come out dirty and smelly. You are one of them now. Go collect back the tax payers money.
1. Collect the money they gave CSC to do nothing under the guise of an adviser
2. Collect back the farmers and fishermen grant that went to cronies who were not farmers
3. Collect the barge money for work the uK offered to do for free.
4. Collect the educational grants that went to cronies to the tune of 20 M
5. Collect the Covid grant that went to pay a ministers boyfriend credit card and her mother brakes for her car etc
6. Collect the money being paid out on the greedy bill
How about Ministers and former Ministers with subsantial businesses (food shops, retail, construction, medical, import/export they own them all) take in high school leavers and teach them from the ground up instead of employing minimum wage expats
Ask yuh conniving brudda and leave the private sector the HELL alone! The private sector already doing their part. They hire and train more locals than the government could ever afford and pay them their increments. They contribute the most in this country to social security, nhi and payroll tax and the money that makes up most of the government’s budget (from financial services) is ALL THANKS to the private sector. Yes, same money the stupid government keep squandering. What an extremely stupid and begging country! Good luck and goodBYE!