Over 400 employed under NEP; second phase to begin soon

Skerrit told interns they should treat placements with the highest degree of commitment
Skerrit told interns they should treat placements with the highest degree of commitment

Prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has revealed that as of April 4 2014, 437 individuals will be employed under the National Employment Program (NEP).

Skerrit said the Phase 2 of the program dubbed the ‘Community Employment Generation, Education, Mentorship Program’ will commence soon.

“We will also be launching another phase of the program to parallel the Yes We Care program, where we will be utilizing the services of women in various communities who will go and provide daily care to some of our seniors who are in need,” he explained during the first Quarterly Interns Forum on Monday at the Dominica State College.

Minister for Trade, Employment and Diaspora Affairs, Collin McIntyre, pointed out further that Phase 2 will see the employment and training of individuals for beautification projects, road repairs, mentors, ICT and other skilled areas.

NEP was launched in December 2013 and is a government initiative which employs a number of people to include unemployed college and university graduates by placing them in public and private sector firms. The government then pays the salaries of those employed.

Skerrit urged the interns in the program to treat their placement at the various institutions with the highest degree of commitment.

“You cannot walk into your workplace at whatever time you wish,” he stated. “You cannot watch the boss man’s car and think that you should have a vehicle like his too; you cannot tell the boss that he came in at 12 o’clock so I can come in at 1 o’clock. You have to carry out the functions and duties given to you because how well you do under this one-year internship program will determine what happens to your post that one year.”

The prime minister also reminded the interns that the program is being funded by the Government of Venezuela and not by the treasury.

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55 Comments

  1. them
    April 2, 2014

    pm please tell some employers pay us for our holidays like carnival and look easter coming

  2. Yellow
    April 1, 2014

    “The prime minister also reminded the interns that the program is being funded by the Government of Venezuela and not by the treasury.”—Shame

  3. Stop
    April 1, 2014

    Why women ? That’s kind of sexist. Men can take care of people too.

  4. lol
    April 1, 2014

    In better words its a job placement program. Usually designed to give on the job experience\training. Its not temporary work. Its more so considered seasonal\ occasional work .This benefits the companies as well, most times they also receive funds for taking in interns.

  5. Strong-Minded
    April 1, 2014

    As a young person although I deeply appreciate the thought that the PM has to seek money outside to be able to provide jobs for the youth *smh* its so poor that he is doing this not out of concern but as a way to fool the young people who have no choice but to take what they get! PM you ever ask yourself whats going to happen after December?? Are the same 400 persons now going to sit down jobless?! Stop doing things at the spur of the moment and sit down and actually plan for a better development. Once you do things properly there is no reason for it to come back and bite you in the

  6. Glanvillia
    April 1, 2014

    I have to laugh – This guy has a little and no exaggeration the store 8 x12. He has 5 cans of carnation, 10 pounds of sugar and little section on the counter where the womyal come for a shot of glo Vonvon ( rum with more water than rum). Would you kw that these desperate Labor Party operatives co e asking the guy to take two job rental intern, He told them operatives ” I doh even have place to stand up where am I going to put them” The Gestapo were mad at him telling him that they are surprise at him.
    Then there is this lady who had a little store on middle street in Porssii – small little store. She hardly selling an item for the day yet they wanted her to ake two you g ladies to work in the store. The store owner told them no way.
    This entire thing is laughable and what is so sad is the Labor Party has no scruples – they don’t care to hide their devious ways; they openly lie and deceive.

  7. Katapault
    March 31, 2014

    e e elecshon coming, e e elecshon coming. They will do anything to get votes. They will do anything to stay in power. Talk nuh, talk nuh; call it nuh, call it nuh! July is coming Fast and Furious.
    E e, is it the same ? e e is it the same?
    Pm you are a fraud and a skeemer., and like to bring down people.. No wonder you made Hartley your best man and charlie jung your ‘heat’ man. You don’t like Dominicans. Your big hypocrite. Mammy should have been your bridesmaid.

  8. ()
    March 31, 2014

    SKERRIT (The Labour Party), IS ABOUT TO FALL ON HIS/ITS FACE!
    There is a Tsunami alert for villages all around the island of Dominica.
    Please take this alert VERY SERIOUSLY!!!!!!

  9. Left Labor
    March 31, 2014

    Mr. Skerrit, That’s not the way to run a country. You cannot do it all by yourself. No wonder you looking so old and horrible. A great leader does not do much. He designate responsibilities and supervises.

  10. LON
    March 31, 2014

    all some of all u can talk about is the enabling environment. just sitting by and running all you mouth.next election labour will still win.if u disagree name the sits they will be loosing and see if u end up with 11,because if u do,labour is in again

  11. %
    March 31, 2014

    Skerrit do yourself a favour, AND CALL THE ELECTION PLEASE.
    You cannot gain additional votes, instead everyday more and more people are disassociating themselvbes from this gang calling itself Labour Party.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:
      Do yourself a favour and do something good for your country.
      :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

    • Peeping Tom
      April 1, 2014

      Be patient!

      While you wait, consider this salient fact: The UWPwee has done very poorly at receiving what it requests. Think of evry and any time in the past when the UWPwee requested something and got its wish. Then, think of what happened after it got its wish.

      From court cases, to IPO, to consultations, to “fix de road, Skerrit”, etc….. So, do yourselves a favour and ask for NOFING! :lol:

  12. TRUTH HURTS BOY
    March 31, 2014

    If that program is independently investigated we MUST see a result that is spelt ‘BOBOL’ like in the fertilizer, garbage bin, housing, red clinic, villas, passports, his mansion, bird island and more. It’s just BOBOL and I don’t believe a thing skerrit says., not even when he says I will marry you.

  13. BLESSINGS!
    March 31, 2014

    How does one create jobs in a country? Mr. Skerrit why don’t you create the enabling environment so that local businesses can create jobs. Too often the institution which deals with assistance want to know whether you are RED OR BLUE before assistance is given. Stop Playing Politics with the people money sir!!!! Create the environment and we need sustainable jobs where young people can go to the bank and get loans. This six months employment cannot do much for our young people. It is now time to quit and allow THINKERS to do what you cannot. Time for Change.
    I voted you once I just cannot do it again since it is time I look after my self. I want to build a 2 million dollars house to!!!!

  14. I doe care
    March 31, 2014

    Ahahahhaha now he finding all kia ting to do for people lol man u had over 10 years to do things now u doing ting because election coming. Man move yor there eh

  15. Alex Charles
    March 31, 2014

    Venezuela is now at war with it government because it is suffering the highest rate of poverty and unemployment it has ever seen. Yet Venezuela is finding funds to put Dominicans to work. Thank u papa Venezuela! Who are we kidding! Venezuela ignoring the needs of its people to assist Dominica. I smell pupu!!!

    • Anonymous
      March 31, 2014

      But so is China, Spain, America… Hello its called International Relations… they have to have allies outside of their borders to. Go and watch Oprah’s Paycheck to Paycheck town hall meeting and see how Americans gwayaing to make a dollar.

      • The Original Met Yo
        April 1, 2014

        I in America and I doh know what you talking about. If you family gwayaying in America, that is them and their bad financial decisions. Doh put all of us in allu ting. Bon

  16. linky
    March 31, 2014

    yes mr skerrit minister of everything from agricuture to empolyment to urban renual only only minister to be working.

  17. Shim
    March 31, 2014

    Man Doc, Love, enough with the BS already! At first, you were funny. But dat constant criticizing of everything Skerrit does or says is old. Do you really think that this attitude will make UWP win the next elections?

    Enough already! This joke is overused.

  18. countrywoman@hotmail
    March 31, 2014

    Pay those poor people children you have going up and down since December without a dollar. You tired do people children mischievous, when election pass they will see where their job go, poor Dominicans.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      With your criticisms, hatred, lack of love and genuine prayer, you will be one of the contributors, the reason and fault if it fails.
      People as you, with your indifferent attitude and being an adversary to the good which the PM is doing, place a curse on everything and your country, It also includes on you.

  19. Hotting UP
    March 31, 2014

    How can we the Dominican tax payers foot the bill for the private sector workers? This is beyond me. Why not have an apprentice scheme instead. This is having an adverse effect on everyone involved.

    Firstly the companies are getting employees for free and the Tax Payers foot the bill, Not Fair

    2/ There is no need for the private company to keep a worker which is being paid by this company, so someone might be made redundant because of this scheme.

    3/These young people are working but have no idea about the future when it comes to long term employment as a result they wont be able to plan. It will only be short term plans as a result.

    We need to use the blue prints of countries like the UK. The apprentice scheme is such a great success .

    Anything to keep your job even if it means that you are wasting the tax payers money.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      Are you blind and deaf? Do you think D/ca taxpayers foot every bill for every scheme which is conducted by the government? If they did, nothing would be done and achieved in D/ca or at least very little.
      Are you not aware that Dominica receives financial assistance from outside sources? Taxpayers of those countries contribute to it. How else could Dominica be sustained if it did not receive outside help? Think before you comment for you make a fool of yourself and project your lack of education and knowledge.
      Give the young people more credit. If you have some feasible ideas and suggestions why not assist them in this regard rather than criticizing, complaining and making rash, unfounded judgments.

    • Mamizoo
      April 1, 2014

      Your question ” how tax payers can foot the bill” is legitimate and timely but note that Skerrit said that the funding for this phase is coming fom Venezuela. Now we all know that is a lie

  20. %
    March 31, 2014

    Skerrit stop the trembling and call the election. I often refer to you as the OUTGOING PM. Most Dominicans do not listen to you anymore. YOU ARE NOW AN EXPIRED PM, WHO DID A TERRIBLE JOB AS THE LEADER OF DOMINICA. .The minds of the majority of the voters are made up already Skerrit. You have failed Dominica and Dominicans. Your most damning legacy AS I HAVE SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN, is that you created in this poor country a mendicancy syndrome, and you made many people beggars in their own land.
    SHAME ON YOU SKERRIT! So you don’t come crying to the same peopp;le you made so poor.
    I heard you and the gang were strategising yesterday, WITH EVERY PASSING DAY IT BECOMES WORST FOR YOU ( since you are the Labour Party).
    Your arrogance caused you to invite Linton into the ring, now you CANNOT SLEEP. TAKE THAT SKERRO. I can clearly see the effect on you head. The hair is falling now by the thousands. TAKE THAT! Linton needs to tighten the screws on you, till he drives you mad.
    CALL IT NAH!
    HOW LONG?
    NOT LONG!

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      You are one wicked person to make such comments. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted:

      • YOU&ME
        April 1, 2014

        And you are such a BLOODY HYPOCRITE

  21. Morihei Ueshiba
    March 31, 2014

    Skerrit, Like Lenin & Mao u will learn the hard way that COMMUNISM cannot work. Central Planning cannot grow an economy, only the private sector can grown an economy u need to spend more time listening to Dwight Venner, u are desperate for power and bringing down Dominica with your ambitions.
    Communism is economic vandalism. Dominica is now a The “welfare state” that is defined as: “A model in which the state assumes primary responsibility for the welfare of its citizens.” The “cradle” of the welfare state goes as far back as history records. Its grave, in the case of a single nation or group of nations, has come with the collapse of empire or by defeat in war. But the idea of a “welfare state” – whether imposed by complete or “partial” state control over
    private life (socialism/communism or economic interventionism) . The central theme running through all economic and political history – two threads which have always been intertwined – is
    that the prosperity of any given nation is in inverse proportion to the degree it accepts the welfare state. The key to the existence of welfare states is that a way HAS been found to defer the costs – to push them into the future to be faced by the young and generations yet unborn. You are living a lot of DEBT on unborn Dominicans, that is why u make Dimitry born in America. Dominicans if u love your country and want to stop the debt burden on our younger generation u must take a stand for this act of tyranny. :)

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      Nonsense! You are full of crap! Also, what business is it of yours where his son is born? Do you not see you are out of place to make such comments? Where does this fit in with this article? :twisted: :mrgreen: twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted:

  22. Anonymous
    March 31, 2014

    Yeah right who you fooling man!

  23. Reon
    March 31, 2014

    Skerro boy… let me say this!!! I am not a party loyalist I am a Dominican Loyalist. I once supported you and as a man from the North my good intentions was that you succeed.
    My brother sad to say you have failed your people. It’s either you don’t have a clue as to how to run a country or you are preying on the ignorance of Dominicans.

    Now if you don’t have sufficient businesses willing to employ these graduates how are you going to ensure sustainable employment? I spoke to one of my family who has one of these workers and she told me the worker is surplus to requirement. PM a country’s economy is made strong by businesses not the government. I am a small business owner in Dominica and currently hire 5 people. I tried expanding my business but have been frustrated by the system and so just too exhausted to continue.
    Just one idea… A comprehensive parking system in Roseau could create at least 15 jobs.

    I spoke to a lady from Barbados who after vacationing in Dominica could not understand why Dominica’s organic foods were not sold in the markets in Barbados. PM – work with the vessel business to provide reliable transportation for our organic foods to other islands.

    The term “organic” embodies health and is in high demand all over the world. We can use this term to market our products. 100s of jobs can be created in farming, vessel and administration.

    Work with serious small business owners. I and my business partner created a business plan which if supported by the government could yield at least 20 jobs.

    One small business might not be able to employ 20 people but if each business employs 4 people on average then that’s 80 employed.
    That’s building a country brick by brick.
    If we do these things Mr. PM then the country will not be burden with taking care of its citizens but its citizens will be contributing to the Country.

    And note: Every sensible person supports looking after our MOST vulnerable citizens, so don’t come with that nonsense talk about people don’t care about poor, simply because we are presenting a better option.

    But again Mr PM I tend to believe that you want people depending on the government (you) so you can manipulate them.

    • Anonymous
      March 31, 2014

      so take your great business plan to a bank, get a loan and get going! or do you want help from Skerrit too? you want him to be your venture capitalist??? smh

      • rainbow
        April 2, 2014

        :-D :-D :-D

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      You! Much ado about nothing. Save your time and comments. They serve no useful purpose. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted:

  24. Ha
    March 31, 2014

    I have a strong feeling it will be 20 to 1

  25. ?
    March 31, 2014

    i know of a couple friends hired at restaurants in roseau. according to de contract signed with government they are to receive a stipend of $720 a month. Hired from March 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

    A stipend is a form of salary, such as for an internship or apprenticeship. it is often distinct from a wage or salary because it does not necessarily represent payment for work performed; instead it represents a payment that enables somebody to be exempt partly or wholly from waged or salaried employment in order to undertake a role that is normally unpaid or voluntary or which cannot be measured in terms of a task

    Stipends are usually lower than what would be expected as a permanent salary for similar work.

    I am not amused.
    Dat cannot be an election campaign strategy.
    How is this going to cause me to vote for Julius Timothy?
    Am i a fool?

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      This is where you are not smart and do not think. If they perform the job appropriately, they could be hired permanently. In many cases, people are employed temporarily and based on their performance, they may be permanently hired.
      Ever gave it a thought? In a world where jobs are scarce, no exception in D/ca, this is a start and experience for those who are employed under this scheme.
      Other countries of the world have such a scheme. In this respect, the government of Dominica should not be backward in assisting its nationals. The money they receive assists them for their livelihood. You should think prior to commenting. Where is your thinking cap?

  26. dafriend
    March 31, 2014

    What kind of business is this? Get the money from Venezuela, pay those employed under NEP and the employers are laughing all the way to the bank. This is not a long term solution and as such not worth a penny to the economy as it is artificially created employment. Do your job properly Skerrit and create real jobs. Alas, however, it takes more of a PM to achieve this than you can offer. 15 years and you have proofed to us over and over – you do not have what it takes to be a true leader and ‘doer’ for the benefit of our country. You are good at other things, but those things unfortunately only benefit yourself.
    Your time is over man! You are struggling and desperately hunting for votes, in the process feeding us new BS every day and expect us to swallow it.

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      Some of you project your lack of basic common sense. Such worthless criticism which also lacks broad-mindedness. The money they earn, what do you think they do with it and where do you think they put it? They use the money for their personal use. It goes right back into the economy, to the same business owners who hire them under this scheme and to other business owners where they purchase goods and services. Smarten up!

  27. Islandal
    March 31, 2014

    Great job Mr. Prime Minister 8) :-?islandal

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      I endorse that.

  28. ?
    March 31, 2014

    my friend of 5children is attached/placed at a roti shop.
    according to the contract the term of ’employment’ runs from March 1st 2014 to December 31, 2014.
    my friend is to receive a monthly ‘stipend’ of $720.
    my friend was curious as to the meaning of the word stipend. most people i know in the NEP do not know the meaning of the word stipend.
    wikipedia states:
    a stipend is a form of salary, such as for an internship or apprenticeship. It is often DISTINCT FROM A WAGE or SALARY because IT OFTEN DOES NOT REPRESENT PAYMENT FOR WORK PERFORMED; instead IT REPRESENTS PAYMENT THAT ENABLES SOMEBODY TO BE EXEMPT PARTLY OR WHOLLY FROM WAGED OR SALARIED EMPLOYMENT IN ORDER TO UNDERTAKE A ROLE THAT IS NORMALLY UNPAID OR VOLUNTARY OR WHICH CANNOT BE MEASURED IN TERMS OF A TASK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Stipends are usually LOWER than what would be expected as a PERMANENT salary for similar work.

    Basically the government is giving you a little change to do what would normally be considered community service or voluntary work. That way it eases the burden on Government to pay a just salary/wage. After all one should not expect a full/fair wage for community/voluntary work.

    However it would be exemplary if de government would be able to place a young college grad at DBS for 6 months to do voluntary work to be then afforded a position at GIS. Or maybe at least some of the young girls that the government placed in restaurants around Roseau can get hired in a Government school to work in the kitchen to help prepare healthy meals for our kids.

    At least they should be able to move to a regular job after seeing that you unable to give them an honest regular salaried form of employment

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      Consider in bygone years Dominicans did not have such an opportunity. Consider what was the monthly income then and as public servants.
      This person is obviously happy (or should) to be receiving an income. $720 a month x 10 months = $7,200. May the money be spent wisely.
      Consider the person’s obligation in a tropical country. Those who receive this amount should be elated and also to be able to earn a salary.
      Thank God for small mercies. In this case, it is a big mercy to be employed and earning an income be it for a few months. Who knows? This person may eventually be permanently employed due to this experience.
      People as you get me angry. Your lack of appreciation and ingratitude also for your friend is showing. You need to have your head examined. You are in dire need of godly spiritual enlightenment.
      I am informing people as you, with this type of criticism and indifferent attitude, one day God will severely punish you. God disdains lack of humility, disobedience and ingratitude.
      Furthermore, nationals of any country should not depend on the government for jobs and their livelihood. They should not expect it all from the government and everything handed to them on a silver platter. They should help themselves by seeking employment or by considering what they could do to be gainfully employed.
      In bygone years D/cans did not depend on the government for a job. People as you have it too easy. God help those who help themselves.

  29. Anonymous
    March 31, 2014

    What is wrong in wanting a car like the boss man’s car? Bondiay oh!

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      Do you need everything explained and spelled out to you? They should keep their views to themselves. Would you tell the boss, “I would love a car as yours?” You call this a conversation and concern? What has it got to do with the job and performance?
      They are fortunate to be placed in a job and what is expected of them is to adequately perform their duties. In time, they may have a car like the boss but they should not compare themselves to the boss who is the owner of the business and no doubt has been for some years. There is a divide between boss and employee and vice versa. They should act accordingly.

  30. Doc. Love
    March 31, 2014

    Spending garlore, but he will not tell us about the national debt. What if Skeritt has decided to sink the treasury because their is a strong possibility his Government might not return to power, at least the people of Dominica is benefiting from the spending spree.

    • Anonymous
      March 31, 2014

      Umm NEP is not from treasury money… the funds came from Venezuela.

    • Tell it like it is
      March 31, 2014

      “The prime minister also reminded the interns that the program is being funded by the Government of Venezuela and not by the treasury”

      Doc. Love, did you forget to read the above paragraph or willingly forget ? or it is addressing you all cry of ” NO JOBS”

    • Simply the Truth
      March 31, 2014

      Your comment is a silly one. You allow your mind to uselessly work overtime. Imagine thinking of something like that. Nothing the PM does will ever please some of you difficult people. Do you live as this, go to bed in this manner and dream of it? This would make you one miserable and unhappy person as you project in your writing.
      The PM is assisting less fortunate nationals in getting a job. When you contribute your fair share to the Treasury, i.e., paying income tax, then you will be entitled to know what the national debt is. Until such time it is none of your business. Keep quiet and appreciate the fact that some nationals are employed and receiving an income.
      This spending has nothing to do with you but with procuring jobs for the unemployed. Surely, you should appreciate that. Some of you lack the godly graces of appreciation and gratitude.

  31. Anonymous
    March 31, 2014

    The NEP is a great idea. It’s make people independent and look forward to waking up to a day that is planned and fruitful. However, there are a number of those trained in the NEP who are not practicing the training they got. They are so unprofessional that one has to wonder what type of training they received.

    • stick
      March 31, 2014

      They are contracted to work 6 – 9 months. How independent can one become doing regular honest work to get a volunteer worker salary and 6 months later de same restaurant is not obligated to hire anyone.
      They got all their training at Government training programs and workshops like the culinary arts program.
      why dont you do some research and find out de particulars of their training.

      Remember is de Government that is sending these people to the business places. De onus is on government that the people being placed are properly trained for the positions. De business is not de one doing de hiring.

      • Simply the Truth
        March 31, 2014

        No matter how educated and trained people are, when they are on the job this is where training or extended training commences. Upon completion of the program, if they are not permanently employed, they will have acquired on the job training which should they should record on their resume. It may prove useful to them in other positions, their performance and deportment on the job.
        The onus is on them, while on the job, to conduct themselves appropriately and show an interest in the job even though it is a training process and may not be permanent. I expect the owner will provide their job performance which will be documented. They could make good use of this opportunity. For their benefit, may they make the most of it.

    • Ba Yo Bwa
      March 31, 2014

      You missed the point of the PM. It is called ACCOUNTABILITY. First, be accountable to yourself with your commitment. Next, be mindful that you are being assessed on the job on a consistent basis. No amount of training – or for that matter, high quality of training – can prepare you for the world of work, if you do not hold yourself accountable by committing wholly and solely to your responsibilities.

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