Director of Public Works Melanie Roach has revealed that the government is scouring the Caribbean for 25 trained engineers and surveyors after drawing a blank in filling the $50,000-a-year jobs in The Bahamas.
Speaking to The Guardian after it was reported that Jamaicans were jostling for jobs here, Ms Roach claimed that Bahamian engineers and surveyors simply weren’t “interested” in the salary package being offered.
“I don’t want to say that money was an issue, but all I can say is the remuneration wasn’t attractive I guess [to Bahamians],” she said.
Ms Roach added that government officials have been searching for qualified Bahamians since April, but pointed out that the only people interested in the openings were already employed in the Public Service.
“I have searched under every rock, up in every coconut tree, every sandy cay in The Bahamas and nothing, absolutely nothing,” she added. “No one is interested.”
While there is a strong engineering sector in The Bahamas, Ms Roach said the country was short on highly qualified personnel. She pointed out that the majority of professionals involved in the industry were Assistant Engineers. Ms Roach added that the government was looking for engineers and surveyors that have the right professional qualifications. She claimed that Bahamian professionals that reach the standard required by the government are quickly absorbed in other sectors.
“When people obtain their professional qualifications, they are very much sought after in the private sector,” Ms Roach said. “So they have many more options and offers and government work really isn’t attractive.”
The Jamaica Gleaner reported last week that there was a skill shortage in The Bahamas for engineers and surveyors. An advertising campaign was launched in Caribbean countries two weeks ago and Jamaican applicants have already applied for the posts. “The Bahamas is booming,” Ms Roach told The Jamaica Gleaner. “We have a lot of major developments and the government wants to do more infrastructure projects to keep up with the private sector.”
She added that the government is looking for 17 engineers and eight surveyors. “If there are any engineers or surveyors out there and you are interested, then be my guest, give me a call,” she said.
When she was asked about the potential immigration problem that The Bahamas might face as a result of these workers coming here, she said, “Why wouldn’t anybody want to stay in The Bahamas? It’s the best country in the world.”
By IANTHIA SMITH Guardian Staff Reporter
