Dear Editor,
This is something that has been affecting me for some time and the only avenue I can use to speak on behalf of not only myself but the hundreds of students that finish high school or college every year is to email you.
How can we make it I ask?
To me it is a lost cause, we are encouraged to attend school but at the end of it what we learned in the five of seven years of schooling we do not use.
There are no jobs!!! The little vacancies that are advertised requires three (3) years minimum working experience, but how can we get working experience if we cant get a job? This feels like a trap as if your stuck in this hole and the only thing that can get you out is a ladder but there is no ladder in sight.
We are encouraged to think innovative or creative and start our own business but in order to start a business the key factor is funding. Now here lies the problem, more than fifty percent of the graduates do not have the financial backing to start a business and the option of loan is out of it because we do not have security.
These two problems are something that burden us every single day, and no one seems to care. A number of us are on a journey but without these two important steps we can not go anywhere.
I had this conversation with my parl rep and the only thing he said to me is that “there is nothing he can do.” It seems that the only ones that even makes an effort to help are the drug dealers and so called criminals. Then persons wonder why the school children are falling into drugs but we can’t help it.
Some of us are strong enough to stay away but some based on their situation will become part of it and the officials, the ones that should be helping us but decided to turn their backs, start to target and criminalize us before they take a second to figure out what pushed the child into drug dealing.
So I pose this question to you and all the other officials again, “How can we make it?”
Please consider this.
College Graduate
Youth, students, we hear you loud and clear. We feel your pain and your frustration. We have set up a new website at http://www.needajobdominica.com to post any vacancies we come across to help in your search for a job.
We are working with all employers and recruiters to send us their vacancies so we can bring them to you in real time, so please stay tuned.
People, let’s get together to help the youth. It is in our best interest.
thanks!!!
this is what i was talking about. is drugs, prostitution, and buggar people we have now. helpppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp.
You are not the only child who is suffering. I must commend you for coming out to express your frustration wit this situation in Dominica
But do not give up, and change starts with you. As M.J said “If you want to make the world a better place , take a look at your self and make that change.”
Vote them out.
This is a great saying “Where the Leaders have no vision the people wil perish!” Sad to say but this is what we are seeing going on in our Lovely Dominica.
The people in power today come into office by accident or were cherry picked and they have no way of comming to terms with the responsibilities that befell them.
Even after 13 yrs they still have not learnt anything about how to run a country.
My advise to you and all our bright boys and girls of Da, is to show your disapproval in the ballot booth and vote them out. Your future is in your hands.
Change Must Come” and you can be part of that change voting this DLP Administration OUT of office once and for all. I am not saying that by voting UWP or Freedom things are going to ch”ange overnight but 15years of failed leadership resulting in an economy disaster and youth employment the highest in this country’s history is enough reason for change.
Tell your mama, papa, uncle, paweh, nenen, priest, pastor, farmer, school teacher, police officer, fisherman and anyone who will listen to make a difference in your life by voting for change and that means kicking the DLP out of office ASAP.
Your story is indeed heart wrenching……..
“Change Must Come”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
The taxes in this great country of ours make it too expensive to run a business. People go to business to make a profit. With import duties through the roof, sales tax, VAT, income taxes which business person can come into dominica and create business to employ dominicans without pricing himself out of the market. Until we have EDUCATED leaders across the board. Educated and sensible voters who DEMAND a better life other than hand outs and false promises. Thats all yall gonna have.
And international airport would have created jobs,
directly and indirectly.
Hotels would be filled so more hotels would be needed.
lower taxes more businesses could sprout up
more revenue going around they would’ve still gotten money from the poeple. since more money in pocket equal more spending and more spending creates jobs and builds the economy.
Government shouldnt be building hotels and mariners and supermarkets
More government owned institutions = more government hired employees more government employees = more taxes or revenue that need to be collected to pay them. People get smart. We don’t need a government run Dominica. We need a government that runs to serve the people of Dominica not the other way round.
brilliant!
The situation with unemployment is very serious in Dominica and I hope that our young and seniors as well will pay close attention to the issues at hand this up coming election.It is not about hands outs and sewo but bread and butter and education for all.Even my cats waiting to vote them out.
I agree that we do lack jobs in Dominica, but we also have to take a look at the education system and recognize that it is not preparing our youth for the type of WORK that we have in Dominica. My advice to you is don’t look for a JOB. Look for meaningful work that you enjoy. We need to change the education system so that we are not preparing our youth to simply migrate to industrialized countries. Use every opportunity you have to learn something new that will help you in your future endeavors. God Bless!
Unless the Government create industries in the area of Finance, Science and Technology there will always be a problem with employment among youth 2000.
My brother five years ago, I said, am not seeing any sustainable development. There is nuttin to ensure that jobs are continuoisly created. This chinesse ploicy needs to stop, it killing the economy, yes we save money but its at the expense of we the young people. We lost job opportunites, local business didn’t make any money hence they can hire anybody extra. My fellow young people need to wake up,life is not all about sewo during election time. Its more than that, we need to bring back the days of the taiwainesse, when the fund projects, dominicans were working and they would fund agricultural expansion programs. If the chinesse can’t do that, tell them to park up and go. As a young man, I want to achieve sumthing in life and they chinesse style is killing me
good things come to those who wait…deal drugs far from the answer to your questions…i never heard of someone beginning unemployed all their life so think about that
You want work experience? Volunteer, experience does not mean u have to get paid.
“ya it hard in DA”, but I always wonder how is it that foreigners will still come and setup businesses in the place…a large reason of the unemployment situation lies on Dominicans, from the leaders downwards. If the business conditions weren’t so flexible for foreign companies and suffocating for locals at the same time, much the money would be circulating in DA. Also I’m currently living/studying in a country said to have one the world’s largest business hub, I realize how proud many of us Dominicans are. These people are so creative when it comes to earning money, I mean u’ll c an entire market place and the stalls are on bicycles, motorbikes etc, the smallest door space is a store or restaurant, no wonder they taking over DA so quickly.
I advise u 2 b innovative, volunteer a lot esp in the area of your dream job, be bold enough to do very menial jobs, it may seem demeaning at first for a graduate, but stay focus. u’ll b surprised how far u’ll go. All the best!!
In 50 years, I have not seen one government build or support a sustainable industry that will provide jobs. They are still living in the 1920s, building roads to mamaguy people that there is “progress”.
applications are not considered anymore….To get a job you have to know somebody who know somebody who will get you in just so or be willing to open your legs now and then for de ‘boss man’.
sad but true.
right now i am too broke to send out more applications, it makes no sense spending $5 that i gwayayin to get on copies for one application anymore. I have lost count of the amount of applications that I have sent out in hope of getting a job…and none of the businesses don’t bother to send you a response in receipt of your application.
Its just so frustrating man, I don’t know what to do again.
As a graduate for DGS, I worked in bananas, citrus industries for 9 years because I didnt vote freedom in the 80s and 90s and then migrated backdoor to SXM and then onto Europe, where I got a very good job within a month of arriving.
Now with a European passport I pick and choose where I wanna Work and for how much
You people keep shouting yourself in the foot
oops, shooting
dno i would like to know what i said that was so wrong about people who educated that they can still work the land it is really true this is a uwp sight
You have to understand that the educational system as it stands is not meant to get you trained for a career or job. There should be vocational programs in the secondary schools which would get you the experience and training that you need. They should be subsidized by the govt. However, they would be for serious students only. Agriculture is the mainstay of the island and always will be. Remember that. All the tech jobs are transitional as they will be replacing people with robots.
You see, it is for that very same reason that many Dominicans emigrated overseas you know.
There were no jobs, so many left hoping that there would be less competition for those that remained behind.
But then what happened? The Haitians and the Chinese come and fill in that gap. It’s now that competition start on the remaining Dominican sistas and brudders for the limited job opportunities and resources.
College Graduate, I wish I had some simple answers for you, but the way things running them season there, alas!
Dominica seems to have a red carpet attitude towards foreigners while having no passage way for its own people, especially the recent graduates.
Every other country, no matter what, seems to have something in place to limit foreign competition on local jobs, but we in Dominica…ah ah.
I see so many people unemployed. The problem is, I cant even feel sorry for my people anymore.
Why don’t we remember our troubles on election day?
… Why don’t we remember what we are worth? .. What we DESERVE?
picking a career is very important, sometimes we have to think of what will most likely land us a job after school, and not always what we want or see our selves as being when we grow up. I know first hand, I did what I wanted to be but ended up doing something completely different. At the end of the day it’s all about what will put $$ in your pocket.
there are jobs all round but the problem is that we do not have the job experience to qualify for the jobs that we really want so my solution to the government is to create minor bisineses to start our gradurants off and so they can gain the experience that they need to really go after there dream jobs
so invest in employment for our youth so we would keep way from drugs laundering money etc.
Good point
How many names you post under. Just asking because I figured that you used five names so far. So stop gaming the system.
there are jobs all round but the problem is that we do not have the job experience to qualify for the jobs that we really want so my solution to the government is to create minor bisineses to start our gradurants off and so they can gain the experience that they need to really go after there dream jobs
so invest in employment for our youth so we would keep way from drugs laundering money etc.
Hello. How many names you post under.
Apply for entry-level jobs… There won’t always be a job available which is in your line of work but from simply being employed you can build up a network to get you to where you want to be. Or a position may become open at your current place of employment that is more suited to your qualification… Everything doesn’t come easy peasy, just keep trying and stop being picky.
Oh and it is not just about finishing school, that is why they encourage you to keep your grades up in school. If you barely pass Math and English what you think going to happen?
Thanks for your suggestion, but then you rarely ever see a vacancy for an entry level job. All the vacancies you come across requires job experience, you could test that out for yourself.
Yea grades are important, and my colleagues and I have done exceptional in our study so the problem isn’t grades.
Well said Kay. Any educated person should know that a country’s government CANNOT provide jobs for each and every citizen. Governments all over the world put systems in place to educate their citizens in order that they can become employed and participate in the development of their country. Some people leave high school and want a job they are not prepared for. Some do not do well in the subjects which are necessary for the type of jobs they set their eyes on. some others have negative attitudes and have not learnt the social or interpersonal skills which are extremely important for working in an organization. Those who want to work can also to additional classes to sharpen their knowledge and skills in order to find a job and grow from there. Things do not always happen overnight.
I am so happy someone was able to bring up this topic. Everywhere you turn it seems like you just have to give up. Pullstring one way, another way, the senior persons at companies don’t want to give you a break. You need a job to gain experience, you need to have experience to get a job – classic chicken and egg. With unemployment at 23% and rising, tell me why should I encourage my peers to go and study, when there are no jobs to fill up.
Your peers would literally be fools to listen to you. Whatever one learns is always for their benefit for their entire life. The knowledge and skills that one LEARNS or DEVELOPS will always come in handy at one time or another. Only that person can waist it. Just some food for thought.
College grad … your frustration is hear load and clear. I left sixth form college in the early 90s – at the time I was 16. I could not get a job for about 6 months. I watch my sister’s kid, cooked, cleaned and do house work. I was lucky in that I had older siblings and parents with job and they all gave me a monthly allowance until such time I was able to find work. No being to find a job is tough … its even more difficult when you don’t know if and when you will ever get one. Still, I admonish you to remain above the influence of drugs and drug dealing. You build a future by ruining your life.
MAYBE your mother, father, sister,Granny, etc all VOTED FOR DIMPLES!!!!!!!! INCOMPETENT DIMPLES.
WE ALL ARE CATCHING OUR TAILS IN THIS COUNTRY.NOT YOU ALONE!
Hope you know what to do when the bell is sounded.AND PLEASE TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE IN A SIMILAR SITUATUION.
VOTE THEM OUT!
Wasted money on State Devil $27 000 000.00… You know how many sustainable jobs this could create?
Negative attitude and not listening to those in the private sector.
Chinese working on loan money we have to repay.
VOTE THEM OUT. THEY ARE EXPIRED.
kICK THEM OUT! VOTE WISELY.
HOW LONG? NOT LONG!
umm.. not sure. How many jobs could it create? Is there a list somewhere?
All jobs it have now is pull string to get em,there are jobs all over but u must slp with the minister, manager or person incharge to get that job, all those with high education on d road looking for jobs and those who left school when they were in form 3 and 4 are in ministry working. Have u seen d amount of street girls who work in ministry? How u think they got the job? Why when those ministers children and family leave school they get a job or scholarship sooo fast, in this dominica is “who know u and who u kno” or u have to slp with d minister to get a job.
Cannot disagree with that. I have been applying to a certain institution for years, always get the ‘no vacancy’. When I go to that institution I see people who were in 3rd form when I left school working there…High colour, big name people. I don’t care what people say the discrimination is real.
This has been a problem in Dominica for as long as I can remember. Its a lot worse now. The government we have now does not seem to have job creation as the number one priority. MY advice would be try to get one of those scholarships to go and study to a country that you can stay and make a living after you get your degree. All young people now may be forced to leave Dominica to make it in life.
AMEN! It seems like is pull string that running the country these days. People are not even being hired based on their qualifications anymore but rather on their relationships to persons with higher authority. It is such a shame.
To the youth out there, do not despair. Most young people the world over face the same fears as you.
I graduated from a very good university with a professional degree, but it was in the middle of a recession and the industry which I was trained to work in was in decline at the time. I was so despondent, I did not even bother to attend my convocation.
I took what work I could find at the time, changed direction and after many years, I must say that I am very happy with the way my life has turned out.
Your fear is quite natural, but you have time on your side. Do not waste time feeling sorry for yourself. Always explore. Keep an open mind. Talk to people, do not be ashamed to let people know you are looking for work. You are not alone in this and keep plugging away.
Good luck to you.
welcome to ” the next level” of the dlp… so look 4 a string to pull!
I completely understand where this graduate is coming from. Government is not doing enough to help the youth. And even when jobs are created the salary is not regulated .. cse in point:
a new business venture just opened in town, very popular espec with the young ladies paying workers $4.75 and hour. they went to labour division and was told to wait till a couple of months, like seriously, if the minimum wage is $5.00 the business should start at that rate and then go up.
However on the hand, many school leavers these days only want to work in office.
So my dear maybe you can join with your friends and go chat with someone at DYBT or small business unit at financial centre and discuss your hobbies and skills and see where it takes you.
But I always maintain that the banks could give a lower interest rate to entrepreneurs, at least for the most critical years…the first 3.
I have talked to a number of these firms, they offer assistance but you still have to get the funding from banks which is why I included the issue of the need for security that most graduates don’t have when applying for a loan.
I understand ur plight but do u think that the govt’ will beable to employ all these students leaving school? “Hell No” Some will be employed, some will move on to universities overseas, while others will seek self employments.
This is not what I am implying, but policies should be placed to alleviate this problem.
Just sit around and wait for someone to hand you a job.
Who tell you the man sitting around and waiting? I know what it like to be constantly walking up and down the place looking for work and sending application after application to get back no vacancy letters. Its ruff in Dominica and it has been like that for a while.
No where in my letter indicated that I am sitting around!!! Ive sent applications to nearly every business on the directory and all of them say the same thing, “There are no vacancies.” I know I’m not the only one in this position instead of being a critique make a positive comment that will give someone an idea.
how about I come and rob you of your hard earned money cuz that’s what you forcing me to do eh
vote Labour and that will happen, well…if it happen!
This feeling is unbearable..sending out application after application and the response is always the same..sometimes I wonder why did I even fight so hard to obtain a degree I can’t make use of, now all I can do is wait patiently for another letter of diasappointment..no source of income so is just depend on our parents…its just sad
Sad to say I do not think that Associate’s degree from the Dominica State College is worth anything in Dominica. You tend to earn the same as a non-graduate.
LABOUR, LABOUR…..LOL LOL, you all just start to feel the pain.
Oh yesssssssss! And that pain will continue for a very very very long time if we fail to realize that DLP has failed miserably. VOTE THEM OUT!
“Change Must Come”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
The unemployment problem for school leavers always existed, seems more tense now but was always there. Some 15 years ago graduates were shipped off to Cuba, Russia, Brunei, Venezuela and Mexico. Applying for a scholarship to China and the like are other avenues that graduates have available and should take advantage of. But strangely with unemployment and poverty on the rise young people seem more choosey and say that drugs seem to be the only way out. Drugs were always there. It is tough for young people no doubt but opportunities to get out and broaden horizons should be exploited to the fullest. Whatever opportunity you get make the best of it, no matter how small your resources one day you will finish. At the end of your studies Dominica will be only one of your options. Don’t give up, don’t give in.
The post said graduate’s, so even though you study in china you will still be faced with the problem. To study in china still requires funding despite having a scholarship, funding that any family can provide
“Not any” #typo
to get a scholarship, your family must be voting for the Goovernment in power – labour … You have to go and beg parl rep who at most, cannot help, to see if they could put in a word for you and then disappoint comes. If you are lucky, that is, if your family are poto labour, you will succeed, but getting the Gov’t to meet its committments to the Universities on time is another story …. As for Morocco .. the situation I heard is so bad that parents are pulling back their children.. I seriously think Gov’t should reconsider sending thier citizens there. We shall see.
Folks want a solid education that is afordable. Poland has avirtually free medical program. In the Phillipines college tuition isn’t so pricey as some north American and European countries, and what of Cuba? Has the scholarship well run dry? I would urge you to dig a little more.
Upon completing studies at the State College i applied to if not all the Business Firms and all the responses were the same.’we regret to inform you that there are no vacancies at our firm’
Hey did you guys not hear the Gov trying to sell more passports. Apply for passport selling job. Seems to be pretty lucrative. That scheme is so important even the AG was defending.
On a more serious note i feel your pain. Look elsewhere in the caribbean. You are not bond to remain home. One day our people will learn to make decisions for the future of our country instead of themselves
While you deserve very strong commendation for steering the academic course, I ask you, what job do your GCE’s and CXC’s qualify you to do? Have you decided what career you want to follow? I hope my questions spur you on to higher heights of ambition and achievement as you look to qualify yourself in whatever field of endeavor you chose. You must seek and follow training in your chosen career, take whatever job you can get once it is legal, moral and non-demeaning. Be positive always and also develop a hobby while you search for employment. Do not overule self-employment! Think of all the people who have turned their hobbies into moneymaking ventures. Do not give into negative people. Stay clear away from them. I pray you and all the young people in your position find and keep that determination to move forward. God bless you all.
Great Advice!
Frankly in my view Mr. Skerrit time has expired 13+ yrs is enough. D/ca is a mess right now under him an his labour cabal…
Labourites/Skerrit supporters live in fantasy land, They keep hoping and waiting for all the promises Skerrit tell them but everytime he just moving goal pole or he comes up with some excuse !!
That is why I keep saying I’m tired of hearing workers crying about villas. I need to hear what they gonna do about job creation. We need a goverment that will make job creation number one priority.
Our money used for the Villas should have been used to create jobs for the youths. So sir/madam we must keep the Villas on the front burner and when the day of retribution comes by then get ready to deliver your jail house supplies to the stock farm bus. You love your liars and thieves so much will allow you to supply Prozac to the thieves in office
I dont love liars and thieves i think boboling tax payers money is wrong but the opposition stresses on the bobol of dlp so much and they never mention what they going to do to help create jobs in the country if we were to vote them in power. The villas and garbage bin money couldnt not pay salaries for all those kids leaving school for a year. Yes DLP bobol but that does not say that it going to be sweet under workers. I need to hear them offer solutions to problems rather than stating the obvious that dlp bobol. all party have their bobol
Well vote for the “other party” to govern. I want to see what miracles this party will perform when they come.
Thank you. I will give the other party a chance. And if there is improvement give them 10 yrs. And after that give another a break before dictatorship sets in.
this is so true I graduated with 4 ones and have and associate degree and everywhere I sent application is no vacancy.I tried speaking to the pr but he said he would help never got any help. This is so sad we need some jobs in d.a the youth cant graduate to stay a 6 months or more out of work
I just completed 3 years at the Dominica State College along with my frens….. We have send out as many applications u could imagine to about all the jobs in Dominica and all the responses are the same “We regret to inform you that there are no Vacancies available at our firm”… And then the Government continues talking about Education and furthering your studies… But Why should we when we still are going to remain unemployed!
All is not lost…Do not give up nor give in to pressures that would want to take you in a direction that is against your conscience and the law. I don’t where your faith lies but I have found that trusting in the God of the Bible is reassuring and brings peace in troubled times. Not knowing about your abilities, training education etc. it is difficult to point you in a direction that would suit you, but generally i would say to you, do not be afraid of using your hands…learn a skill and do something with that skill. Take action however small it may be, because without action there can be no progress. I read a story this morning which was inspiring, not saying this is what you should do just saying you can find a way…here is the link. hope admin wont delete it. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Pan-chicken-man–Ruddy–Bent—shining-example-of-hard-work_14848185
I wish you the best…do not leave your success to the mercies of employers or the banks or anyone else…look within yourself for the answer to your dilemma, it is there waiting for you to act on it. If you have not found it as yet, it is because you need to look some more.
them people want jobs, you talking about bible
True….. True! U hardly can find a summer job much less for a permanent one….!
that’s my burden for the past two years now out of school
The fact is, we elect people in the government to solve our problem. If they do not have the answer to our problems, it is simple vote them out. this is not personal against the Palrep its just business. We should not be on a friendship level with out government officials. We voted for them to solve our problem and if after 2 terms they still don’t have a clue, they need to go.
My comments may not be printed or persons may totally disagree with me. But frankly as a university graduate at the post graduate level who was in the same boat like you. The honest to god best advise I can offer is to leave Dominica. Sad to say thats the best I can tell you…….
Yea that is true, but then not everyone can afford to leave the country
Go backdoor
Good advise. Just consider where you are leaving to go to. Dominica is not the only place with high unemployment rate.
Young lady, young man that cross you make every 5 years is a very powerful tool. Utilize that privilege to let the policy makers know that you will not stand for the status quo.
When politicians are given a job to do they must do so. That is your right – rally your friends and relatives and do the right thing – vote the current administration out and if the new administration is not performing do the same- them out too. This is how you keep politicians honest and committed to THE JOB WE GAVE THEM. t capitalized that one setion because I get angry when I see these arrogant politicians behaving like the people owe them.
I am so glad someone brought this up. Just this weekend I was wondering the same thing. Here I am with a Bachelor’s degree and unemployed. I would love to start my own business but there are two major problems. Dominica is a small island with very few avenues that are not already present and entrepreneurship funding. Dominica is mainly a tourism and farming island; a new company that is not in great demand would soon fail and who is going to give funding to an unemployed young person with no assets or security to speak of.
Well I will tell you if you guys re-elect the current Government, nothing will change. The PM said he will create 1300 jobs, but all the jobs will not be created in one year. however, every year you have more than 1300 students graduating from college and high school looking for jobs. My question is, how is 1300 jobs over a few years helping with the unemployment problem? the fact is every year it is getting worse. I have nothing personal against the PM but he have done nothing to help the 23% unemployment in Dominica. Its time to get new people in government. If they don’t produce change them again.
What is the best time to get into a market, is it when it is established or when it is being established…ok so Da is a small island that focuses on tourism, isn’t that an opportunity to offer something of worth to this fledgling industry so that when it becomes fully established you will be established with it also. What do they need…maybe your marketing skills, your organisational/operational skills,… Develop yourself to the point where when you speak to these owners they will see that you are of value to them and their business…start from your dining table you dont need an office…begin by doing your own work, just please do not fall into this trap of being trapped. You maybe can get some inspiration from these two stories. http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20130724-crowdfund-your-career; and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23469410
Inspiration is good the two stories are good, but how many of these true stories are the reality of the millions out there. When we have our parents have or we have the resources at our disposal to start its easier. But the reality is some people have nothing, Nada where do they start?
This is for “Looking” their is another story posted in another comment i made on this thread. I encourage you to read that story also…
We get accustomed to people doing things for us. Our students don’t learn to think, they learn to pass exams so when they leave school they expect to just walk into a job. How many people can the govt employ? When you are in third form in high school think of what you are going to do down the road don’t just do things for style, for what is easy or what everyone is doing think of how you are going to feed yourself and apply your efforts there. it may take some time but you will get somewhere.
The worse the economy gets, the more desperate the government becomes… and the more they try to control everything.
That reign of terror under the DLP will soon be over. The only problem we have now is that elections cannot be held today or tomorrow. But…… “Change Must Come” sooner rather than later.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!