The Government has moved to creating a ‘One Stop Shop” to allow Bahamians greater access to the range of services offered by the Department of Labour.

In this vein, the Ministry of Labour and National Insurance and of the Public Service collaborated with the Inter-American Development Bank in facilitating a Training workshop on “Advancing Skills & Employment in The Bahamas,” held December 1 to 4, 2014.

The workshop, the second one sponsored by the IDB, was designed to expose Senior Officers of the Employment Exchange in the Department of Labour, to new and innovative methods and techniques for the efficient operation of a “One Stop Shop”.

The workshop was addressed by the Hon Shane Gibson, Minister of Labour and National Insurance and of the Public Service, who said that the collaboration between the Ministry and the IDB is another example of the Government’s commitment to re-tooling Public Officers in accordance with international standards and best practices.

This move is to enable them to perform their duties and carry out their responsibilities in an efficient and professional manner, he said.

The International Labour Organizations’ Report on Global Employment Trends 2014 states that 23 million people are estimated to have dropped out of the labour market due to discouragement and rising long-term unemployment, amongst other issues.

“The Government of The Bahamas is aware that the unemployed include those who are actively seeking a job as well as those who have become discouraged and no longer seek employment,” Mr. Gibson said.

He characterized them, as citizens who are unable to support themselves or their families, who are in danger of losing their self-esteem and who ultimately become clients of the country’s social support services.

Therefore, in order to combat this challenging issue of unemployment, he said that the Government has also undertaken a multi-pronged approach that includes skills training through the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, the National Training Agency and Public-Private Partnerships, the development of an IDB project that addresses youth unemployment and security, the development of skills in the Department of Labour, amongst other initiatives.

Hence, the workshop addressed training in a number of areas including:

• Employable skills;

• Registration and assessment;

• Job documentation, tracking and referrals;

• Retention services and quality assurance;

• Screening mechanisms and satisfying needs; and,

• Partnering with employers

According to the minister, the opening of a sub-office on Robinson Road and the planned establishment of two additional sub-offices in Eastern and South-western New Providence and Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama will also serve as One Stop Shops and allow Bahamians greater access to the range of services offered by the Department of Labour.

“It is envisioned that this access will allow for more opportunities for our unemployed or under-employed to obtain gainful and meaningful employment thereby reducing the country’s unemployment rate,” Mr. Gibson said.

He said however, that the Government believes any success depends upon its ability to sustain the development of its people. And, the Government will continue to work with its NGO’s and international and social partners including the IDB, to expand the Bahamian economy and prepare Bahamians to reap employment opportunities that will become available in 2015 and beyond.

He added that while the Government readies those in need of employment with relevant job skills, however, it must also ensure that those with responsibility for monitoring employment have the skills and knowledge to locate jobs, liaise with employers, assess needs and skills and ably and correctly recommend job replacements.