IN DEPTH MARKET KNOWLEDGE

Anybody wanna work?

by George Francis, Managing Editor, UVI Voice 2.0

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On Saturday, Nov. 3 the UVI Sports and Fitness center was crowded with employers but very few USVI residents showed up to apply for jobs. Government, private entities, and human resource coordinators from companies such as Paradise Point/Tramway properties, the Judiciary of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Federal Credit Union, Banco Popular, USVI Economic Development Authority, and The Westin St. John Resorts and Villas were on hand but the turnout was dismal.

The 'crowd' was notably small and eager employers met with very few prospective employees. Hiring events on STT take place once or twice a year and the scarce attendance sent a mixed message to potential employers.  Diane Richardson, Human Resources Director, WTJX Radio and TV https://www.wtjx.org/employment/ represented one of the many companies on hand to interview interested residents. 

She stressed the importance of a job fair and said, "[Job Fair] it allows the employer to connect with the community and allows us to have face to face discussions with applicants." According to Richardson, "{employers} share good information about what the organization does and  what it has to offer.” In addition, the chance to met directly with  hiring personnel allows "employers to be a little bit more intimate with the applicant," she stated. 

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Damage caused by the hurricanes resulted in a mass exodus from the territories. Thousands lost their jobs and for several months new employment was scarce, These facts did not go unnoticed by companies in the territory and the job fair was created to recruit unemployed islanders. Ron Turner, owner of Paradise Point said, “the hardest thing in the world is to get someone to feel comfortable going and looking for a job, so we are trying to make it easy." 

Lack of experience and qualifications draw people away from certain jobs however, Turner stated, “we’re looking for someone that has the desire to grow and if they have the desire to grow we can, in turn, start them in one position and [take them] up each grade.”   

Silene, a resident of the Virgin Islands and student at UVI expressed how she wished events like these occurred a little more often and allowed the opportunity for college students to be employed while being able to attend classes.

Turnout at the recent job fair was small however, companies stated that opportunities for employment in the USVI are available.